Aamir Khan: A controversy prone reclusive genius 
By Faridoon Shahryar, May 8, 2007 - 06:39 IST
John Abraham admitted on Koffee with Karan recently that Aamir Khan is his favourite actor and superstar since Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. Hrithik Roshan owes his 'perfectionist' streak and one-film-at-at-time practice to the reclusive Khan. Shahid Kapoor post Vivaah thinks he has had enough and would only do films with quality 'scripts'. And yes, even he thinks that Aamir Khan way of doing one good film at a time is better than dime-a-dozen nonsense. Controversy is his middle name. And some say he invents them right before the release of his films. The enigma or should we say fable of Aamir Khan continues to hog the Bollywood searchlight. For even when he is away from the gaze of limelight for five years, every move he makes is watched with rapturous curiosity.
If year 2006 was marked by the super success of Dhoom, Krrish and Lage Raho Munnabhai, then it was also an Aamir Khan year. For two of the blockbusters Rang De Basanti and Fanaa were helmed by him. Some said south star Siddharth was the hero of RDB as he hogs the heroic deeds at the climax. Director Rakeysh Mehra on his part maintained that he wanted to make a few changes to the existing script to bolster Aamir's star status. But it was Aamir who wanted to stick to the original script rather than highlighting himself. Mehra in an article in a national daily had also stated that Aamir is a lover, a giver, someone who doesn't expect anything in return. RDB went on to be India's entry to the Oscars and ignited people movements in the country especially in the Jessica Lal murder case. Cynics said, Aamir's second marriage hype in Panchgani gave a huge impetus to the film's commercial success as the ceremony was conducted barely a month before the film's release.
Kunal Kohli's Fanaa brought Aamir and Kajol together as a lead pair for the first time. A month before the film's release Aamir got into another controversy when he invited the television media (he had lambasted them in a Tehelka interview not-so-long-ago) at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and lent support to the rehabilitation of the poor families of four states that were to be displaced because of the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada river. Hell broke lose, especially in Gujarat. Khan's effigies were burnt and the religious zealots made sure that Fanaa was not released in Gujarat. Aamir's stoic stance and refusal to say sorry, earned loads of bouquets from national and international press as well as eminent citizens.
Shabana Azmi in a vitriolic attack on the fascist forces supported Aamir by stating that why does film personalities' role in the society ought to be limited to Aids awareness campaigns or doing shows for calamity victims. Shatrughan Sinha on his part chided Khan by saying that the Lagaan star shouldn't have taken a stand without doing his homework. In spite of huge support and opposition, Aamir Khan didn't bend. Fanaa went on to become a super hit even without getting a release in the lucrative Gujarat territory. It's been almost a year but Aamir never spoke anything about the rehabilitation of the poor and needy even though he had promised to do an appraisal of state government promises after a few months. Nor did he take up any cause since then.
Known for being ultra secretive about his personal as well as professional life, news about him filters through 'sources'. His next venture, a home production Taare Zameen Par is mired in deep trouble since the beginning itself. Scriptwriter-Director Amol Gupte is an old Aamir friend. But very soon there were reports about serious differences between the 'old friends'. Incidentally, it's more or less confirmed that TZP is going to be Aamir's debut as a director (everyone knew he'd turn a director some day).
Another unpleasant news that surfaced during the making of this film were the reported 'differences' with second wife Kiran Rao (remember she is an aspiring director herself) about the way the film should proceed. The shocking rumours that started doing the rounds recently were reports of Aamir splitting with Kiran after merely a year of marriage. A gossip magazine (that particular magazine has longstanding issues with Aamir) in their cover story for this month stated: “Aamir's marriage is over”. In a smart move to bolster their sales, a big advertisement of May issue was published in a leading tabloid of Mumbai ensuring a juicy story to discuss. Both for the media as well as the general public in locals, malls, cine halls etc.
Once again, tongues are wagging that this controversial rumour has been started by Aamir camp to boost the prospects of Taare Zameen Par where he plays father to a dyslexic kid. But it seems a preposterous thought. For an Aamir Khan film made at a modest budget of Rs 6 crores is a winning proposition even before getting a release in theatres. Any trade pundit would testify that.
One thing everyone would agree is that every Aamir Khan movie is awaited with immense eagerness. Call it Demand-Supply chain or maybe an association of quality with his movies, both trade and aam junta are always mighty excited about any new Aamir Khan release.
So, what do you say, who is the real Aamir Khan? An actor who works extra hard on every shot that he takes or a recluse who avoids film award functions and refuses to get bracketed in any of the Bollywood camps? A visionary who has traveled on a path that no one dared to tread upon. Or a genius who thrives on controversy of both personal as well as professional nature to get his work noticed? What's your opinion. Do let us know…
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