Aamir Khan is celebrated as one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars and has carved a notable reputation as a producer. He has backed critically acclaimed films like Lagaan, Delhi Belly, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na,
Lapata, Ladies, and Dhobi Ghat.
However, Aamir Khan recently revealed that he never originally planned to become a producer; his perception of film production was influenced by the example set by his father, Tahir Hussain.
The Struggles That Shaped Aamir Khan’s Views On Producing
On Komal Nahta’s podcast Game Changers, Aamir Khan shared how witnessing his father’s struggles as a producer discouraged him from entering the field. He said, “When I saw my father’s career, I realised I never wanted to become a producer. The producer works the hardest, takes all the risks, yet often faces criticism. Many times, the team does not support him, which is why it took eight years for my father’s film Locket to be made. Seeing all this, I thought, I’ve become an actor now, had some success, and Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was a hit, so why should I become a producer?”
Unexpected Path To Producing
Aamir Khan stressed that he never intended to be a producer. “Early in my career, whenever asked in interviews if I would produce a film, I always said no. I said I could become a director, I am an actor, but I would never be a producer. However, one should never make such firm statements,” he admitted. “When I read the script for Lagaan, I really liked it, but I worried about who would produce it. I thought about it daily. I was scared. Then I thought of the legends I admire like Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy, K Asif, and Chetan Anand, who made the films they wanted with courage. Inspired by them, I told myself to overcome my fear and make this film.”
Aamir Khan revealed his fear about Lagaan: “I loved the script but was afraid no one would back the film, or if they did, they wouldn’t invest what it truly deserved.” Ultimately, he followed his father’s advice and decided to produce Lagaan himself.
Support From Family And Father’s Encouragement
Speaking of his father’s encouragement, Aamir Khan said, “I called my wife and parents for the narration of Lagaan. Ashutosh did the narration, and I remember watching their faces as if the entire film was playing out there. When it ended, I asked Reena; she said it was a great story and she really liked it. Then I asked my parents, and they praised the script too. I asked my father if the story was too different and whether we could pull it off on such a large scale. He replied, ‘A good story is very hard to find. Once you get one, don’t overthink it.’”
