Why Aamir Khan is more than an incredible movie star?

By Faridoon Shahryar -

January 10, 2017 - 11:58 AM IST

Aamir Khan is a unique commodity. He is indifferent to the usual trappings of stardom for he shuns award shows, hates to repeat himself artistically, can be very secretive-cum-reclusive, isn't attached to material benefits of life and values truthfulness in people tremendously. The interesting part is the contrast, for he is ferociously ambitious, wants to be nothing but the best, works extremely hard to leave any competition far behind, has a brilliantly practical understanding of how exactly the box office works in movie business and in spite of choosing unusual story ideas, he is very clear about entertaining his audience. Always!

Why Aamir Khan is more than an incredible movie star?

Dangal is the first film to cross the Rs 350 crore nett mark in the Indian market. The film has done this business in a record time. What is important to note is that the circumstances in which this record has been made is nothing short of a miracle. Demonetisation has affected the box office figures of all the films post November 8. In the smaller centres where the dependence on cash is paramount and there's a lack of debit card machines or e wallets, business did get affected even for Dangal. In normal circumstances and with the repeat value that the film has witnessed, it could have even crossed Rs 400 crore mark as well. On the first day of its release, #BoycottDangal was trending on Twitter all day. Many vitriolic comments were posted on various social media platforms tearing into Khan's religious identity and expressing displeasure with his comments on intolerance in November 2015. The greatness of India proved that the systematic hate mongering was crushed by love showered by a massive majority of Indians. Well done India!

At the launch of the second Paani Cup recently, Aamir stated that the dream of ensuring maximum water conservation in Maharashtra is far bigger than the success of Dangal. Some may say that he said it for a mere ‘effect’. But they who know him closely would understand that he meant each and every word of it. He made many enemies due to his prized endeavour Satyamev Jayate. I read a message by a doctor in a whatsapp group urging all the other doctors to watch the leaked version of Dangal (instead of buying a movie ticket) to harm Aamir Khan since he supposedly defamed doctors in one of the episodes of Satyamev Jayate. Anyone who knows Aamir would know that he will never want to defame anyone. I met him for some official work in a hotel in Delhi three years back. He excitedly told me how he wants to do something so that the low cost generic medicines can be made available to maximum poor people of India. A gentleman who was part of the doctors’ episode in Satyamev Jayate was also present there and said that it is not going to be easy and that he should not be too hopeful. “I am always positive, change is possible,” Aamir said excitedly.

Dangal is a blockbuster and is being loved all across. Change is also being felt. More and more people are coming forward to express solidarity with Aamir for the unjust manner in which he was ridiculed and belittled for his comments on intolerance. Someone who takes a huge pride in his love for India, was labelled as an anti-national, was asked to go to Pakistan, a concerted attempt was made to rob him of the Snapdeal contract and brand ambassadorship of Incredible India campaign. Aamir has lent his total support to the cause of water conservation, but when will Satyamev Jayate be back on Indian television tackling a wide spectrum of social concerns, asking uncomfortable questions? The question is that after what has happened to tarnish his 'Sarfarosh' spirit, will Aamir ever take up the murky social evils ever again? It is important to note that there is much more to Aamir Khan than being an incredible movie star!