"These are things I always wanted to try."
Aamir Khan is one of Bollywood’s finest actors. He began his career with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).
Across a career spanning almost 40 years, Aamir has given the Hindi film industry many lessons, some of which extend beyond the silver screen.
Touted as the industry’s ‘Mr Perfectionist,’ fans love Aamir Khan for his endeavours away from the camera as much as in front of it.
The superstar celebrated his 60th birthday on March 14, 2025.
On this important milestone, we list six lessons Aamir Khan gave to Bollywood.
Less Is More
Decades before Aamir Khan arrived on the movie scene, actors including Dilip Kumar were known for doing less work than their contemporaries.
However, when Aamir made his debut in the late 1980s, actors were known to work in up to 30 films simultaneously.
During the first several years of his career, Aamir too had to operate in this way.
However, in the new millennium, the Raakh star adopted this policy of only working on one film at a time.
This ensured he could focus all his energy on one project, making it the best it could be.
Currently, several Bollywood stars also abide by this working model.
This idea of ‘less is more’ makes the audience all the more excited for an Aamir film to be released.
Don’t Take Awards Too Seriously
Aamir Khan was probably the first Bollywood superstar to shun Indian award ceremonies.
The star has admitted that when he was new in the industry, he enthusiastically attended these functions.
However, he later felt that organisations such as Filmfare, IIFA, and the Screen Awards have no merit and little value.
The star has been campaigning for people not to take awards too seriously as films and performances are subjective matters.
When his film Lagaan (2001) missed out on winning an Oscar in 2002, Aamir repeated this idea.
Since Aamir, other actors including Ajay Devgn, Kangana Ranaut, and Yami Gautam Dhar have also slammed Indian award shows.
The Return of Sync Sound
When Aamir began working actively as an actor, dubbing was a key part of a Bollywood film’s production.
The process involves actors repeating their lines in a studio over what they have already acted on set.
Sync sound refers to a type of sound technique which allows actors and the crew to retain what is spoken and heard on set with no dubbing.
When Aamir became a producer with Lagaan, he employed the return of sync sound, using it on the sets, as well as bringing in assistant directors.
In an interview celebrating 20 years of Lagaan, Aamir said: “Everyone told me not to use sync sound, but these are things I always wanted to try.
“Now, since I did it, they all do sync sound and they all use first assistant directors.”
The Respect of Writers
If there’s one actor who has advocated significantly for the respect of writers in Bollywood, it is Aamir Khan.
The actor has been vocal about how writers deserve better positioning in the hierarchy of the industry.
Aamir has judged screenwriting competitions and employed script read-throughs, giving writers a louder voice.
Notably, as a producer, Aamir ensures that he takes the third credit in his films and that the names of writers appear after his and only one step behind the director.
Foregoing His Fees
As an actor, Aamir has revealed that he doesn’t charge upfront fees for his roles.
This is because he believes that nobody working on the film should lose money.
Aamir has said that charging fees loads the project and that becoming a partner in profits is a much better business strategy.
He said: “I believe in the old-age way of earning money. Whenever street performers performed, at the end, they would take off their hats.
“If people enjoyed the performance, they would put money in the hat. And if they didn’t, they would put nothing inside.”
Other actors including Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are also known to stop charging fees, but Aamir Khan was the person who began this popular, ethical trend.
Believe in Creativity
One thing Aamir Khan has become known for over the past 25 years is his ability to believe in creativity.
The star has accepted the scripts he loves despite recognising the risks and unusual subjects involved.
He has frequently spoken about his fear behind signing films including Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Rang De Basanti (2006), and Taare Zameen Par (2007).
His gumption proves that creativity cannot be stifled, and often, the results of his courage have been some of Bollywood’s most loved classics.
There is no doubt that Aamir Khan is one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema.
However, a major part of that is the decisions and risks he has taken in shaping his career and perhaps even the modes of the industry.
Aamir has broken barriers, exceeded expectations, and always tried new things.
On the occasion of his birthday, fans in India can enjoy several of his classics again on the big screen from March 14 to March 27, 2025.
These films include Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Lagaan, Ghajini (2008), Dangal (2016), and many more.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Aamir Khan will next be seen in Sitaare Zameen Par. He has also produced the upcoming Lahore 1947.
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