Actor Aamir Khan recently opened up about the early struggles of his career following the immense success of his debut film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). During a conversation with writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar at the launch of Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar, a special film festival organized by PVR INOX, Aamir shared his reflections on the mistakes he made in the early years of his stardom and how those missteps shaped his journey in the film industry.
The Mistakes of Early Stardom
After Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak turned Aamir Khan into an overnight sensation, the actor was inundated with hundreds of film offers. “I got about 300-400 film offers,” he revealed. However, Aamir, not fully understanding the responsibility of choosing the right projects, signed several films at once. He described how actors of that era, including Anil Kapoor, worked on an unusually large number of films simultaneously, with Kapoor managing 33 projects. Feeling the pressure to keep up, Aamir signed 9-10 films at once, only to later regret his decision.
As the films began to shoot, Aamir quickly realized the enormity of his mistake. “I was working three shifts a day. I was not happy. I would go home and cry,” he confessed. His overcommitment led to exhaustion and dissatisfaction, and he realized too late that many of these films were not aligned with his aspirations. Unfortunately, this choice had consequences, and several of his films Love Love Love, Awwal Number, and Tum Mere Ho—flopped at the box office.
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Facing the Consequences of His Choices
The box-office failures, compounded by the media’s harsh reaction, left Aamir struggling with his self-worth. “The media dubbed me a ‘one-film wonder.’ Rightly so; I blame no one for that label,” he said candidly. The actor recalled his mental state during this time, feeling trapped in a cycle of failure. “I was certain that not only had these three films failed, but my next six would be disasters,” he added. Aamir could see his career spiraling, feeling as if he was stuck in a “swamp” that he couldn’t escape.
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A Comeback and the Road to Stardom
Despite the tough period, Aamir’s career began to turn around with the success of Dil (1990), a romantic drama that restored his standing in the industry. By the 1990s, Aamir had firmly established himself as one of the top stars of Bollywood, eventually going on to deliver numerous all-time blockbusters, particularly in the 2000s.
As the Cinema Ka Jadugar festival celebrates Aamir Khan’s 60th birthday later this week, the actor’s reflections on his early career serve as a reminder of the challenges and perseverance required to achieve lasting success in the film industry. Aamir’s journey from setbacks to triumphs is a testament to his growth as both an actor and a person, making him one of Bollywood’s most respected and influential figures.
