Aamir Khan is known today as one of Bollywood’s most trusted producers. His banner has given films like Lagaan, Delhi Belly, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Dhobi Ghat, and Laapataa Ladies. But in a recent chat, Aamir revealed that becoming a producer was never his dream.
He said he had no interest in production and even promised in interviews that he would never take that path. So what made him change his mind?
Why Aamir Khan Avoided Production
On Komal Nahta’s podcast Game Changers, Aamir opened up about why he disliked the idea of producing films. He explained how his father, Tahir Hussain, faced endless struggles in his career as a producer.
He shared, “When I saw my father’s career, I realised mujhe producer kabhi nahi ban na hai (that I never want to become a producer). You have to work more than anyone else; you are the one who is taking all the risk, and yet you are the one who is cursed by people.”
His father’s film Locket took eight years to complete because of delays and a lack of cooperation. Watching this left a lasting impression on Aamir. He said, “I gave a lot of interviews during my early years where people would ask me, ‘When will you produce a film?’ And I used to say, ‘Never. I will become a director, and I am already acting, but I will never become a producer.’”
How Lagaan Changed Everything
The turning point came when Aamir heard the script of Lagaan. Ashutosh Gowariker’s story moved him deeply, but he wasn’t sure who would produce it with the right vision and resources.
Aamir revealed, “I used to think about it every day, and then I thought about the people who I looked up to. They had guts, and they made whatever they wanted to make. I was inspired by these greats, and I told myself to get over my fear and make the film.”
He also shared how his father’s advice finally gave him confidence. After the narration, he asked his parents for their thoughts. His father told him, “Achi kahani bohot mushkil se milti hai; ek dafa achi kahani mil jaaye na, socho mat (You don’t get good stories very often; once you get it, you shouldn’t dwell on it too much).”
That was enough for Aamir to take the plunge. Lagaan went on to become a milestone, earning an Oscar nomination and proving that Aamir’s instincts were right. Since then, he has built a reputation for backing unique and risky projects.
Aamir Khan: Upcoming Projects
Recently, he produced and acted in Staare Zameen Par, which performed well at the box office and is now available on YouTube under a pay-per-view model.
His upcoming projects include Lahore 1947 with Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta, Ek Din starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, and his much-talked-about dream project, Mahabharata.
