Apr 07, 2026 12:02pm IST
‘Aamir Had Reservations About the Climax Scene. He rewrote it’: Co-producer Mansoor Khan on ‘Ek Din,’ starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi (EXCLUSIVE)
Mansoor Khan’s flair for filmmaking right from “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” onwards, made him B-Town’s biggest bet. Son of legendary filmmaker Nasir Hussain, the scion only seemed to be taking the legacy further. But he chose to leave Mumbai at the peak of his career, decades ago. Now, when he is on a film set, or anywhere close to it, it’s because his cousin Aamir Khan has requested him. Right now, Mansoor, as co-producer, is giving final touches to Aamir Khan Productions’ “Ek Din” featuring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi.
Despite your move away from films, Aamir Khan Productions often invite you as a co-producer.
When I was asked to help during “Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na” (2008), the script was already finalised. Aamir told me your job is to make sure that the script is rendered precisely. There can only be one director. So I was a ‘monitoring’ person who gave feedback to the director Abbas Tyrewala. He didn’t feel threatened. In fact, he welcomed me. “Ek Din” (the Juanid Khan-Sai Pallavi starrer) touches upon transient amnesia, my involvement has been much more right from finalizing the screenplay, shooting, editing and sound.
Could you please elaborate?
We shot 70 percent of "Ek Din" in Japan for 40 days. It’s a difficult country to shoot in. You’ve got to be particular about permissions and time schedules. You can’t just go and sprawl yourself on the road. I was there supporting director Sunil Pandey fully. He was extremely receptive. I never instructed the actors or the cameraman. Sunil would explain and I’d watch on the monitor. If I didn’t like something I’d tell him. There has to be only one captain of the ship. That’s the director.
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Aamir Khan is known for being a perfectionist. How has working with him been?
During “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” (1988), he’d listen to me completely. He was slightly nervous about his acting, but he did have some viewpoints, which I’ve always been open to. By “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar” (1992)… he’d gained confidence and participated more. We had a difference of opinion during the climax. His character, Sanjaylal Sharma, has won the cycle race. Aamir said that while walking up the victory stand he’d give Deepak Tijori’s character a look and rap him with his elbow. I said no. I explained that his character Sanjaylal has ‘transformed’ from being a badmash. Now, he respects what winning is about. So he’ll also regard Shekhar with respect. (Smiles) So, Aamir didn’t have his way.
Was there any difference of opinion during ‘Ek Din’?
Today, I’m not that clued in, as I don’t watch films. But I still have my sensibilities intact. I believe in dealing with certain scenes with restraint rather than going over the top. I have a fairly good sense of story. I told them: I have come to help you. What I feel strongly about I will tell you. Like we shot a song towards the end of “Ek Din” in Japan. Aamir saw the rushes and said that the girl was crying in the earlier song and in the last one as well. He said he wanted a song about her falling in love once again with the boy. But I knew what Sunil had in mind and backed him instead. Aamir jokingly said, ‘If you guys make a mistake, I’ll send you back to Japan.’ But when he saw the song, he agreed with us. Similarly, Aamir had reservations about the climax scene. He rewrote it. We agreed he was right. That’s the collaborative spirit we share.
Why did you ever call yourself a ‘vagabond’ Why?
At heart, I’m not a cinema person. I don’t have a fascination for cinema. I do it for the family. But if someone else says they’ll give me so much money to make a film I’d not be able to do it. When I was making films, I did it sincerely. I selected subjects and characters that motivated me. In fact, I was making films so that I could buy a boat and live in the middle of the sea.
Were you able to do that?
Yes. The boat was built in Taiwan. It was a 56 feet boat with three cabins. In between making films, I’d go sailing. A few of us, including an American friend, a Swiss guy… and I sailed from Taiwan to India. That was 36 days of living on the boat. We went across the South China Sea, passing Singapore, the Strait of Malacca and Andaman Islands.
Your daughter, Zayn Marie Khan, will be seen in ‘Dacoit: A Love Story.’
I’m hardly aware of what she’s doing. (Smiles) I’m not a ‘nepo father’. I’m worse than that because I’m no longer connected with the industry. I can’t tell anyone, ‘Yaar meri ladki hai, isska bhi trial le lo!’ Whatever she’s done, Zayn’s achieved on her own (featured in “Mrs. Serial Killer,” “Monica, O My Darling,” “Made in Heaven” Season 2 and “Feels Like Ishq” on OTT). My dad (late filmmaker Nasir Hussain) wrote the script of “QSQT” with Aamir in mind. Iss type ki cheez main kar nahi paya. I told Zayn if I make a bad film, I’ll destroy your career even more.
Your son Pablo has an unusual name…
When my daughter was born, I wanted to call her Patricia. (Smiles) But Tina said, ‘No. I knew one Patricia, who was extremely irritating.’ Tina selected the name Zayn. When my son was born, I wanted to name him Pedro. But the cultural stereotype regards ‘Pedro’ as someone who enjoys drinking. While I see Pedro as somebody cute, simple and wholesome. But Tina selected Pablo.
What is Pablo doing now?
He’s in Canada. Earlier he did a course in music with Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM) near Chennai. Every child cannot take to academics. While in school, I bought him a drum set. Then he learned the guitar on his own. He did a course in post-production abroad. He has a lovely Canadian girlfriend. She came down to India thrice. We love her.
How would you sum up yourself?
I’m somewhere between a music composer and a writer. I’m not a director. Music is my first passion. I compose, I record. I ignored it for 30 years while I was doing other stuff. Even as a director, I used to enjoy the song creation process. That’s why I selected young music directors whom I could tell I don’t like this arrangement here. Can we bring in a sax solo instead of a trumpet solo? I understand harmony. Now, I’m planning to spend my time just composing music. I’ve created some 15-20 compositions. They’re just for me. Music helps me in my writing too.
Any other passion?
Tina and I ‘slow travel’ together in our camper van. I want to travel and see places only in India. Not the Red Fort or the Taj Mahal, but the interiors – whether it’s a wasteland or just hills! It gives me a strange feeling of ‘romance’. The other day I was listening to a wonderful song, “Sapnay” by Silk Route. I’m not a lyrics person. I’m more of a music person. But the lyrics (“Sapney hai sooni aankh hai…” sung by Mohit Chauhan) gave me a chill up my spine. It talks of going to a place where you sense a feeling of loss. You connect with the place, where nothing actually happens. It’s a complex feeling of melancholy and loneliness.
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