BOLLYWOOD Mr. Perfectionist dons the director’s cap

hink Aamir Khan, and the “don’ts” are years later with the film, ‘Holi’ (1984). He Being a part of several commercially suc- the defining thoughts. In an industry received his first commercial success with cessful movies and delivering highly T where networking is an essential, next ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ (1988) and won a acclaimed performances, he has established only to oxygen, what’s behind that perpetual Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for his per- himself as one of the top and most success- loner profile? formance in the film. After eight previous ful leading actors of Hindi cinema “It’s certainly not something that I have nominations during the 1980s and 1990s, he With ‘Taare Zameen Par’, which released planned. I do understand that it would help if received his first Filmfare Best Actor Award on December 21, Aamir dons the director’s I did some things, but I can’t really be other- for his performance in ‘Raja Hindustani’ cap for the first time, to tell the story of an wise. I think it is every individual’s right to (1996), his biggest commercial success so unconventional teacher who helps change the decide what he wants to be a part of, and far. He won acclaim for his role in the life of a child with academic problems. what he wants to keep out of. Some things I Academy Award nominated ‘Lagaan: Once Initially, Amol Gupte, who has written the am just not comfortable doing, it springs Upon a Time in India’ (2001) and received his script and is also the creative director, was from the person I am...” says the elusive second Filmfare Best Actor Award, as well as the director of the film. But ‘Mr. Bollywood star. numerous other awards. Perfectionist’ wasn’t satisfied with the work And the rest? “Sometimes I genuinely don’t and decided to handle the project in his own have the bandwidth to do anything at all, way. The actor explained how he took over apart from what I am working on. When I am the reins as director. “About a week into the doing a film, I just cannot bring myself out of shooting I was not very happy and Amole that, everything else sort of goes into soft Gupte and I had a meeting and I expressed focus. It may seem like a tactically good move my reservations. Obviously we realised that to be more visible during those phases, to do we had creative differences, so I offered to more things to be talked about, but I find it pull out. Gupte gave it some thought and very, very difficult to do something else. I both of us decided that perhaps I should take guess you can call me a reluctant star.” over the responsibility.” How street savvy is that for an industry vet- Aamir conceded that acting and directing eran of 17 years? “I know I have an impracti- together for the first time was a bit of a chal- cal approach to life, not just in this respect, lenge. “It is challenging and comes with its but in many things,” he adds. own demands so I did the best that I could. I Appearing as a child actor in ‘Yaadon Ki think I’m quite happy with the way the film Baaraat’ (1973), Khan’s career started eleven has turned out.” !

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