Top 50 Unknown and Amazing Facts About Aamir Khan
Known by many as “Mr. Perfectionist,” Aamir Khan is a highly acclaimed actor, producer, and director in Bollywood. Known for his adaptability, Aamir has continuously pushed the limits of Indian filmmaking, producing highly regarded and financially successful pictures.
Aamir, who was born in Bombay on March 14, 1965, started his acting career at a young age with Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). But Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, his breakthrough performance in 1988, cemented his reputation as a romantic hero. He has developed into one of the most bankable stars in the business over the years, carefully selecting parts that suit his love of narrative.
Aamir has starred in a number of noteworthy movies, including the Academy Award-nominated Lagaan (2001), the touching tale of a dyslexic youngster Taare Zameen Par (2007), and the biographical sports drama Dangal (2016), which became one of India’s highest-grossing movies.
Aamir’s physical changes, attention to detail, and engagement in every facet of his films demonstrate his dedication to perfection. His reputation as a socially conscious artist who is deeply responsible for society has been further solidified by his social contributions through initiatives like Satyamev Jayate.
Here are 50 unknown and amazing facts about this Bollywood icon.
Early Life and Background
- Real Name: Aamir Khan’s full name is Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan. He was born on March 14, 1965, into a conservative Muslim family in Mumbai.
- Family Lineage: Aamir hails from a family deeply rooted in the film industry. His father, Tahir Hussain, was a film producer, and his uncle, Nasir Hussain, was a well-known filmmaker and screenwriter.
- Child Actor: Not many people know that Aamir’s first stint in Bollywood came as a child actor in the film Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), directed by his uncle, Nasir Hussain.
- Athlete in School: Aamir was not only good at academics but was also an excellent tennis player during his school days. He even represented his school in several tennis tournaments at the state level.
- Academic Life: Contrary to his serious, dedicated persona as an actor, Aamir Khan wasn’t too fond of academics. He attended J.B. Petit School for his pre-primary education and later moved to Bombay Scottish School. Despite being an intelligent student, Aamir did not complete his higher education.
Journey to Stardom
- Assistant Director: Before making his debut as a lead actor, Aamir worked as an assistant director on his uncle Nasir Hussain’s films Manzil Manzil and Zabardast.
- The Struggle: Aamir didn’t become an overnight star. Despite coming from a film family, he had to struggle for recognition and went through numerous auditions before landing his breakthrough role in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).
- First Film Poster: Aamir Khan’s debut as a lead actor was heavily promoted by sticking the film posters of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak on the auto-rickshaws in Mumbai. He himself went around the city pasting them.
- First Award: Aamir won his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. This movie established him as a romantic hero in Bollywood.
- Experimental Roles: Aamir has always chosen diverse roles and projects. From playing a cop in Sarfarosh (1999) to a freedom fighter in Mangal Pandey (2005) and a college student in 3 Idiots (2009), he has consistently experimented with different genres and characters.
Dedication to Craft
- Perfectionist Tag: Aamir Khan is known for his meticulous attention to detail and is often referred to as Bollywood’s “Mr. Perfectionist.” He delves deep into the characters he portrays, focusing on every minute aspect.
- Refusal to Attend Award Shows: Despite being one of the most awarded actors, Aamir Khan stopped attending Indian award shows since the 1990s. He believes that the process is biased and doesn’t genuinely reward merit.
- Transformation for Roles: Aamir is known for going to great lengths to fit his roles. He gained over 25 kg for Dangal (2016) and later underwent a massive transformation to play a younger version of the same character in the film.
- Learning Bhojpuri for PK: For his film PK (2014), Aamir learned the Bhojpuri language fluently to get into the skin of the character, despite it not being his mother tongue.
- Director Aamir: Apart from acting, Aamir Khan is also an accomplished director. His directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par (2007), received widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of dyslexia and its heartwarming narrative.
Personal Life
- First Marriage: Aamir married Reena Dutta in 1986, who also had a small role in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. They were together for 16 years before parting ways in 2002.
- Second Marriage: In 2005, Aamir married Kiran Rao, who was an assistant director on the sets of Lagaan (2001). The couple has a son, Azad Rao Khan, born through surrogacy.
- Introvert Personality: Despite his massive fame, Aamir is known to be an introvert. He doesn’t attend many Bollywood parties or events and prefers to keep a low profile.
- Fitness Enthusiast: Aamir Khan is passionate about fitness and follows a strict diet and workout regime. He often trains for months to transform his body according to the demands of his film roles.
- Social Activism: Aamir has been involved in various social causes. He hosted the television show Satyamev Jayate, which focused on social issues in India, such as female foeticide, dowry, and child sexual abuse.
Professional Accomplishments
- Global Recognition: Aamir Khan’s films are popular not just in India but globally, especially in China. Films like Dangal and 3 Idiots have broken box-office records in China.
- Highest Grossing Film: Dangal (2016) became the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide, crossing the Rs 2,000 crore mark. The film’s success in China significantly contributed to its box-office collections.
- Academy Award Nomination: Aamir Khan’s film Lagaan (2001) was India’s official entry to the Academy Awards and was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
- National Awards: Aamir has won multiple National Film Awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including Best Film on Family Welfare for Taare Zameen Par.
- Padma Bhushan: In 2010, Aamir Khan was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for his contributions to the arts.
Noteworthy Films and Characters
- Influence of Rang De Basanti: Aamir’s film Rang De Basanti (2006) sparked youth activism in India. It’s said that the movie’s themes of corruption and sacrifice influenced many to take action against injustice.
- Rejected Roles: Aamir has rejected several iconic roles in Bollywood, including the lead role in Darr (1993), which later went to Shah Rukh Khan, and the role of Sanjay Dutt in Munna Bhai MBBS (2003).
- The Ghajini Hairstyle: Aamir’s look in Ghajini (2008) became a nationwide trend, with many fans copying his short-cropped hairstyle.
- Films with a Social Message: Aamir often chooses films that leave a lasting social impact, such as Taare Zameen Par, PK, and Dangal, which focus on education, religion, and gender equality, respectively.
- Highest Paid Actor: Aamir Khan was once the highest-paid actor in Bollywood. He doesn’t charge a fixed fee for his films but instead takes a percentage of the profits, ensuring that he is paid only when the film is a hit.
Quirks and Interests
- Chess Lover: Aamir is an avid chess player. He is known to challenge his co-stars to chess matches on film sets and has even played against chess grandmasters like Viswanathan Anand.
- Passionate Reader: Aamir is a voracious reader and loves reading books across genres. He’s said to have a vast personal library.
- Dislike for Smoking: Aamir Khan has a love-hate relationship with smoking. He has quit smoking several times but admits that stress often leads him back to the habit.
- Fear of Flying: Despite his frequent travels, Aamir Khan is reportedly afraid of flying. He has expressed his discomfort with flying in interviews, though he overcomes it due to his work commitments.
- Philanthropy: Aamir is actively involved in various charitable activities. He donated a significant portion of his earnings from Satyamev Jayate to help fund organizations fighting against social issues.
Professional Relationships and Collaborations
- Amitabh Bachchan Fan: Aamir Khan has always been an admirer of Amitabh Bachchan. It was a dream come true for him when he finally worked with Big B in Thugs of Hindostan (2018).
- Close Friendship with Salman Khan: Despite the media sometimes pitting them as rivals, Aamir and Salman Khan share a deep friendship. They first worked together in Andaz Apna Apna (1994), which remains a cult classic.
- One Film at a Time: Aamir is known for focusing on one project at a time. Unlike other actors who juggle multiple films simultaneously, Aamir dedicates his complete attention to a single film until it’s completed.
- Collaborations with Rajkumar Hirani: Aamir has collaborated with director Rajkumar Hirani on iconic films like 3 Idiots and PK. Their partnership has resulted in some of Bollywood’s most successful films.
- Reclusive Actor: Aamir avoids the typical Bollywood social scene and prefers spending time with his family. He’s often described as a “reclusive actor” by industry insiders.
Global Appeal and Influence
- China’s Favorite Actor: Aamir Khan is immensely popular in China, where his films are known to break box-office records. He has been dubbed as one of the most influential actors in the Chinese film market.
- Crossing Language Barriers: Aamir’s films have been dubbed into multiple languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Turkish, reflecting his widespread appeal across the globe.
- Foreign Invitations: Due to his global recognition, Aamir has been invited to prestigious international film festivals and global conferences, where he often shares his insights on filmmaking and social issues.
- Aamir’s Influence on Indian Education: His role as a professor in 3 Idiots had a huge impact on how people viewed the education system in India, leading to many discussions about reforms.
- Popularity in Social Media: Despite being a relatively private person, Aamir Khan commands a massive following on social media, where his tweets and posts are often taken as industry insights.
Miscellaneous Facts
- Acting in a Short Film: Aamir appeared in a short film, Chale Chalo, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Lagaan. This film highlights the challenges and triumphs faced during the production.
- Advocate for Indian Cinema: Aamir Khan has been a vocal advocate for the growth and improvement of Indian cinema on a global scale. He has often spoken about the need for more realistic and quality-driven content in Bollywood.
- Voiceover Work: Aamir lent his voice to the animated character Bheem in Mahabharat (2013). Though the film didn’t fare well at the box office, Aamir’s voice acting was praised.
- Contributions to Television: Apart from Satyamev Jayate, Aamir has appeared in several television shows as a guest, including Kaun Banega Crorepati, where he won significant sums for charity.
- Multi-Faceted Talent: Apart from acting, directing, and producing, Aamir has also sung in films. His song “Aati Kya Khandala” from Ghulam (1998) became a huge hit and is still remembered fondly by his fans.