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Aamir Khan single-handedly pulls Bollywood out of the horrible reputation every year he makes a film. And almost all of his films have shattered boundaries just because he acts so well. He moulds himself into his characters so well that the audience has no option but to empathize. That is why people appreciated a movie like ‘Ghajini’ even though it looked like a blatant copy of ‘Memento’ with some romance thrown in.
He started it way back in ‘Andaaz Apna Apna’ where he easily convinced us that he was an underdog and made us root for him. He could have easily become the hero of that movie, given that his acting skills are good enough to make him a lead, but he didn’t.
And just like that instance, he has done many things for Bollywood, directly and indirectly, that has brought him fame and appreciation from a cult-like following no other actor has gotten.
1. When he believed in a project called Lagaan and a man called Ashutosh Gowariker when no one else did.
Ashutosh Gowariker was having a hard time getting money for his project. Even SRK was not convinced. Aamir Khan put his own money into the project and did not back off even when there were budget overruns.
He saw potential in the concept and gave it fruition. That’s how ‘Lagaan’ became one of the best movies ever made by Bollywood.
2. When Aamir Khan finally made a movie for kids who struggled in school. Their story was needed to be told.
No one really gave a crap about the struggles in school until Aamir Khan came along with ‘Taare Zameen Par’. And suddenly students with dyslexia, ADHD had a voice. Parents who watched the movie empathized.
And hostel students who missed their mothers cried.
3. When Aamir called out the bullshit of award ceremonies way before it became a thing. And he still does.
One of the many sensible things he did. And his acting chops are so good that no one has been able to evict him even though he frequently calls these functions a sham.
4. When Aamir Khan gave a stellar performance as a wrestler and brought to India a story of women in Haryana almost no one knew
People knew about Geeta and Babita Phogat. But no one knew the story behind them. Bollywood needs to tell us stories like ‘Dangal’.
5. When he made us believe that you can stay away from the social party bullshit of Bollywood and still be accepted by all due to talent.
He’s famous for not attending social events. But he still gets invited to every one of them.
6. When he acted so well that his character, Daljit DJ Singh, embraced death while laughing, teaching us that no death is early if you have lived a worthy life.
Rang De Basanti echoed the sentiments of a generation of youth. A 40-year-old did that. The second time after a movie like ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.
7. When he actually tried to bring about a change in society with his show ‘Satyamev Jayate’
Unlike other Bollywood actors, he actually put his heart in this show to influence India for good.
Even though people made fun of his excessive crying, he did make a worthy attempt. He deserves his Padma awards – even more than his colleagues.
8. For making us understand that critical acclaim and box office money can go hand in hand.
Bollywood is usually polarised. On one hand, you have Masaan that does not earn any money but earns a lot of accolades. On the other hand, you have a Bollywood masala movie.
Aamir Khan knows how to tread the middle ground perfectly.
9. When he gave us entertainers like ‘Delhi Belly’ and ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’, even though he wouldn’t really act in those movies.
Delhi Belly was a fresh breath of rancid air that Bollywood desperately needed.
10. When he lent his support towards important social movements he believed in, even though it brought him a lot of criticism.
He put his actions where his mouth was. Very few celebrities do that.
Let’s hope he keeps doing one film every 4 years so that we keep getting gems like ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.
Movies like these, it is always worth the wait.
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