Aamir Khan
Full Name: Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan
Born: March 14, 1965, Bombay (now Mumbai), India
Age: 60
Aamir Khan is a name that’s become almost synonymous with quality and innovation in Indian cinema. Born in Mumbai in 1965, Aamir has spent more than three decades redefining what it means to be a Bollywood star. He’s known for his perfectionist streak—he won’t start a film unless the script is locked, and he prefers to pour all his energy into one project at a time. This approach has set a new standard for professionalism in the industry. Over the years, Aamir has taken on a wide range of roles, often choosing stories that tackle important social issues, and he’s famous for his method acting and deep commitment to every character he plays.
Family and Personal Life
Aamir’s roots in the film industry run deep. His father, Tahir Hussain, was a respected producer, and his uncle, Nasir Hussain, was a big name as a director and producer in the 1970s. His cousin, Mansoor Khan, is also a filmmaker. But Aamir’s talents aren’t limited to acting—he was a skilled tennis player in his youth and even competed at the state level in Maharashtra.
In 1986, Aamir married Reena Dutta. The couple had two children: Junaid, who is now an actor, and Ira, who works as an assistant director. Their marriage ended in 2002. A few years later, in 2005, Aamir married filmmaker Kiran Rao, and they had a son, Azad, in 2011. Unfortunately, this marriage also ended in separation in 2021.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Aamir’s first taste of the spotlight came as a child actor in the classic film Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). After a small role in Madhosh (1974), he took a break from acting, only to return in 1985 with Holi. His big break came in 1988 with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, directed by his cousin Mansoor Khan. The film, a tragic love story with unforgettable music, was a massive hit and earned Aamir the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. It also made him Bollywood’s “boy next door.” After a few less successful films, he bounced back with hits like Dil (1990) and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991).
Rising to Stardom
Aamir’s star really began to shine in 1992 with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, a coming-of-age drama that struck a chord with audiences. The film’s soundtrack, especially the song “Pehla Nasha,” became an instant classic and is still loved today for its dreamy vibe.
Did You Know?
Aamir Khan has appeared in ads for both Pepsi and Coca-Cola—rival cola brands! In the 1990s, his Pepsi commercial, where he goes to great lengths to get a bottle for his neighbor, became a cultural phenomenon. Later, for Coca-Cola, he played a variety of characters, from a sophisticated Bengali gentleman to a lively Punjabi farmer, and even an urban woman, showing off his versatility and sense of humor.
By the mid-1990s, Aamir was ready to break out of the romantic hero mold. He started taking on a variety of roles, showing off his comedic chops in Andaz Apna Apna (1994) alongside Salman Khan. Although the film wasn’t a hit at first, it later became a cult favorite. In Rangeela (1995), he played a street-smart orphan, and in Ishq (1997), he starred with Kajol, Juhi Chawla, and Ajay Devgn in a fun romantic comedy. His performances in Raja Hindustani (1996), which won him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor, and in Deepa Mehta’s Earth (1998), set during the Partition of India, further proved his range as an actor.
2001: Aamir’s Landmark Year
The year 2001 was a game-changer for Aamir. He starred in Lagaan, playing Bhuvan, a villager who leads his community in a cricket match against British colonizers to avoid paying unfair taxes. The film was a huge success, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and winning Aamir another Filmfare Award for Best Actor. That same year, he starred in Dil Chahta Hai, a film that redefined how Bollywood portrayed modern friendships and relationships.
Later Films
Aamir continued to take on challenging and diverse roles. He played the title character in Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005), about a key figure in the Indian Mutiny of 1857. In Rang De Basanti (2006), he was part of a group of young people inspired to fight for social change—a film that won several awards and is still considered one of Bollywood’s most powerful social dramas. Other major hits include 3 Idiots (2009), Dhoom 3 (2013), PK (2014), the wrestling drama Dangal (2016), and Thugs of Hindostan (2018).
Behind the Camera
Aamir isn’t just an actor—he’s also a successful producer and director. He started Aamir Khan Productions in 1999, and one of its first big hits was Lagaan. He made his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par (2007), a moving story about a dyslexic child, in which he also played a key role. His production company has since released several acclaimed films, including Peepli Live (2010), Delhi Belly (2011), Secret Superstar (2017), Laal Singh Chaddha (2022)—a remake of Forrest Gump—and Laapataa Ladies (2023).
Aamir also made his mark on television with Satyameva Jayate (2012–14), a talk show that tackled important social issues and sparked national conversations.
For his contributions to Indian cinema, Aamir has received two of the country’s highest civilian honors: the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010.
Controversies
Aamir hasn’t shied away from speaking his mind, even when it’s landed him in hot water. In 2015, he sparked a nationwide debate when he revealed at an awards event that his then-wife, Kiran Rao, had expressed concerns about rising intolerance in India and had even suggested they consider leaving the country for their child’s safety. The backlash was swift—he lost his endorsement deal with Snapdeal and was dropped from the government’s Incredible India tourism campaign. Aamir later clarified that he and his family had no plans to leave India.