May 14, 2026 11:31am IST
Aamir Khan on Risk, Reinvention and the ‘Papa Kehte Hain’ Craze That Changed Everything (EXCLUSIVE)
Few actors in Indian cinema have balanced mainstream success and constant reinvention the way Aamir Khan has in his career spanning nearly four decades. From romantic dramas and cult comedies to socially driven films and ambitious blockbusters, the actor has built a career around calculated risks, patience and an unusually selective filmography.
Now, in Variety India’s “My First” segment, Khan reflected on several personal and professional milestones that defined his journey, including the first dangerous stunt he remembers pulling off on camera. “First stunt I don’t remember, but the most dangerous stunt I performed was running in front of a train. It was a little too much, but luckily nothing happened.”
While Khan is known today as one of the industry’s most influential stars, one of his earliest major purchases was deeply personal rather than flashy. “I think the most expensive thing I bought was probably my first house. Yeah, that was the first thing I bought.”
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The actor also revealed that “Delhi Belly” was the first script he finished reading overnight, a fitting choice considering the 2011 dark comedy later became one of the defining cult films associated with his production banner.
Interestingly, Khan admitted that he rarely seeks outside validation while choosing projects. He said, “No one.” That was his direct response when asked about the first person he shows scripts to for honest feedback, reinforcing the instinctive decision-making that has often shaped his career choices.
Food, however, remains a simpler territory for the actor. When asked about his favorite cheat meal after a transformation, Khan immediately brought the conversation back home. “Oh, I can’t remember. But I think my favorite food is my mom’s cooking, so anything that my mom makes.”
Aamir Khan also credited filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker as one of the early industry figures who truly believed in him. The two collaborated on the Oscar-nominated “Lagaan.”
Despite decades in the business, Khan said film sets still remain the place where he feels most comfortable. “Most film sets, I’m at home only, I’m happy on film sets.”
The actor also fondly recalled bonding with co-stars Juhi Chawla and Madhuri Dixit early in his career, both of whom shared some of Hindi cinema’s biggest films with him during the 1990s.
And when it comes to songs that became cultural moments, Aamir Khan pointed to the track that arguably defined an entire generation of Bollywood romance. He said, “Papa kehte hai, yeah, I guess.” The song from Khan’s debut Hindi film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak remains a popular coming-of-age track.
As for the philosophy that continues to drive him after all these years, Aamir Khan kept it characteristically simple. “There is no secret sauce actually; it’s a very old sauce. Hard work, perseverance, lage raho. And just give it your best.”
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