At 16, Khan collaborated with school friend Aditya Bhattacharya on the experimental 40-minute silent film “Paranoia,” funded by filmmaker Shriram Lagoo. Despite parental resistance to a filmmaking career, Khan’s involvement in the project was kept secret due to his parents wish for him to pursue a stable profession like engineering or medicine.
Aamir Khan married Reena Dutta, who appeared in a minor role in “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,” on April 18, 1986. They have two children, Junaid and Ira. Despite Dutta’s brief involvement in Khan’s career as a producer for “Lagaan,” their marriage ended in December 2002, with Dutta gaining custody of both children.
Under the guidance of Hussain and his son Mansoor, Aamir Khan secured the lead role in Mansoor’s directorial debut, “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”(1988), alongside Juhi Chawla.
The film was a commercial success, catapulting both Khan and Chawla to stardom. Khan’s performance earned him the “Best Male Debut” trophy at the Filmfare Awards.
Prior to the release of “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”, Aamir Khan starred in the crime thriller “Raakh”, directed by Aditya Bhattacharya and released in 1989. While commercially unsuccessful, “Raakh” received critical acclaim. Aamir Khan’s performance in both “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” and “Raakh” earned him a National Film Award – “Special Jury Award/Special Mention” for his acting prowess.
In the early 1990s, Aamir Khan witnessed a mix of successes and failures in bollywood. Commercial hits like “Dil” (1990) and “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar” (1992) contrasted with box office disappointments such as “Parampara” (1993).
However, Khan’s versatile performances in “Raja Hindustani” (1996) and “Sarfarosh” (1999) showcased his acting range, while his production and acting in “Lagaan” (2001) earned international acclaim, marking a significant milestone in his career.
In 1999, he founded Aamir Khan Productions, whose first film, Lagaan (2001), was nominated for the Academy Award for “Best Foreign Language Film” and earned him a National Film Award for “Best Popular Film” and two more Filmfare Awards for “Best Actor and Best Film.”
Aamir Khan exchanged vows with Kiran Rao, who previously served as an assistant director to Ashutosh Gowariker during the making of “Lagaan,” on December 28, 2005.
In July 2021, Khan and Rao declared their separation, expressing their intention to co-parent their son, Azad.
In 2006, Aamir Khan’s stellar performance in “Rang De Basanti” won him critical praise and a Filmfare Critics Award for “Best Actor.” The film emerged as one of the year’s top-grossing hits and secured a BAFTA nomination for “Best Film Not in the English Language.”
Khan’s versatility continued to shine in “Fanaa” (2006), where he took on the challenging role of a Kashmiri insurgent terrorist, showcasing his ability to push boundaries and explore diverse characters.
In 2007, Aamir Khan made his directorial debut with “Taare Zameen Par,” a film produced by Aamir Khan Productions. Praised for its sensitive portrayal of a child with dyslexia.
The movie earned Khan critical acclaim, winning Filmfare Awards for “Best Director and Best Film,” along with a National Film Award for “Best Film on Family Welfare.”
It was India’s entry for the 2009 Academy Awards “Best Foreign Film” category, leaving a lasting impact globally.
In the span of a decade, from 2008 to 2017, Aamir Khan demonstrated his multifaceted talent as an actor, producer, and influencer in bollywood. His films such as “Ghajini” (2008), “3 Idiots” (2009), and “Dangal” (2016) achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, with each breaking box office records.
Particularly noteworthy was his strategic entry into the Chinese market with “3 Idiots,” paving the way for unprecedented success in East Asian markets, solidifying his status as one of the most influential Indian actors globally.
His production ventures like “PK” (2014) and “Secret Superstar” (2017) not only shattered box office records but also showcased his commitment to diverse storytelling and empowering narratives.
Aamir Khan is renowned for his activism, serving as the national brand ambassador of UNICEF to promote child nutrition and supporting campaigns against malnutrition and manual scavenging.
His success in China has bolstered India’s soft power, fostering better India-China relations.
Aamir Khan’s television debut, “Satyamev Jayate,” addressing social issues, premiered on May 6, 2012, garnering phenomenal public response. The show, aired in 8 languages on StarPlus, Star World, and Doordarshan simultaneously at 11 am on Sundays, received positive reviews from social activists, media, doctors, and celebrities, prompting Khan to announce a second season.
Founded by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao in 2016, Paani Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to drought prevention and watershed management in Maharashtra, India.
Their goal is to make Maharashtra drought-free within 5 years through community-led initiatives such as shramdaan and educational workshops, with his active participation in the foundation’s activities.
In November 2018, Aamir Khan starred in “Thugs of Hindostan” alongside Amitabh Bachchan, a highly anticipated film with a budget of ₹300 crore. Despite high expectations, the film received scathing reviews and grossed ₹335 crore worldwide.
Khan’s next project, “Laal Singh Chaddha,” directed by Advait Chandan and released in August 2022, was an adaptation of “Forrest Gump.” However, it received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, being labeled a “disaster.”