Aamir Khan

While assisting Hussain, Aamir Khan also acted in documentaries by students from the Film and Television Institute of India. His performances caught the attention of director Ketan Mehta, who offered him a role in the experimental film Holi (1984). Based on Mahesh Elkunchwar’s play, the film explored the issue of ragging in Indian colleges. Though The New York Times praised the cast’s performances, Khan’s role as a rowdy college student was minor and received mixed reviews.

Holi did not gain mainstream recognition, but Khan’s breakthrough came with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), directed by Mansoor Khan. Starring opposite Juhi Chawla, he played Raj, a young man caught in a tragic love story. The film was a massive success, launching both actors into stardom. It won seven Filmfare Awards, including Best Male Debut for Khan.

Before this success, Khan had also filmed Raakh (1989), a crime thriller directed by Aditya Bhattacharya. Though it struggled at the box office, the film earned critical acclaim, and Khan received a National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention for his performances in both Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Raakh. Later that year, he reunited with Chawla for Love Love Love, a romantic comedy that failed commercially.

In 1990, Aamir Khan had five releases, but only Tum Mere Ho and Dil achieved success. Dil, co-starring Madhuri Dixit, was the highest-grossing film of the year and cemented his status as a leading actor. In 1991, he starred in Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, a semi-hit opposite Pooja Bhatt.

During the early 1990s, Khan delivered several notable performances in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) (which he also co-wrote), and Rangeela (1995). While Andaz Apna Apna (1994) initially underperformed, it later gained cult status. However, Parampara (1993) and the unreleased Time Machine failed to make an impact.

Khan became selective, choosing to star in only one or two films per year. His only release in 1996, Raja Hindustani, was a massive hit and won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor. The film remains one of the highest-grossing Indian films when adjusted for inflation. In 1997, he continued his success with Ishq, followed by Ghulam (1998), where he also sang the hit song “Aati Kya Khandala.”

In 1999, Khan starred in the critically acclaimed Sarfarosh and Deepa Mehta’s Earth, which was internationally praised. However, Mela (2000), co-starring his brother Faisal, was a box office failure.

In 2001, Khan produced and starred in Lagaan, which became a landmark film, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. It also won numerous awards, including a National Film Award and Khan’s second Filmfare Award for Best Actor. Later that year, he starred in Dil Chahta Hai, a coming-of-age film that won the Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics). Following his divorce from Reena Dutta, Khan took a four-year hiatus from Bollywood.

Aamir Khan returned to acting in 2005 with Mangal Pandey: The Rising, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2006, he starred in Rang De Basanti, earning widespread acclaim and a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. The film became one of the highest-grossing of the year and was India’s official entry to the Oscars. Later that year, he played a Kashmiri insurgent in Fanaa, his second antagonist role.

In 2007, Khan made his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par, which won him the Filmfare Awards for Best Director and Best Film. The critically acclaimed film also received a National Film Award. In 2008, he starred in Ghajini, which became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year and earned him another Filmfare Best Actor nomination.

Khan’s 2009 film 3 Idiots broke box office records, becoming Bollywood’s highest-grossing film at the time. It was a major success in China and Japan, winning multiple awards, including six Filmfare Awards and three National Film Awards. The film was the first Indian movie to be officially released on YouTube in 2012.

Khan played a pivotal role in opening Chinese markets for Indian films, starting with Lagaan. After 3 Idiots became a cult hit in China, his other films like Taare Zameen Par and Ghajini also gained popularity. This contributed to the overseas success of Dhoom 3 (2013), PK (2014), and Dangal (2016), making him one of the most recognized Indian actors internationally.

In 2012, Khan starred in Talaash: The Answer Lies Within, which was a semi-hit. Dhoom 3 (2013) followed, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time upon release. His 2014 film PK was critically acclaimed and became the fourth highest-grossing Bollywood film ever.

In 2016, Khan produced and starred in Dangal, playing wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. The film became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time domestically and a massive success in China, where it was one of the highest-grossing foreign films. Worldwide, Dangal became the fifth highest-grossing non-English language film and won him two more Filmfare Awards.

Khan’s 2017 production Secret Superstar was another massive hit, becoming one of the most profitable Indian films ever with a worldwide gross of ₹876 crore on a limited budget. It also became the highest-grossing Indian film featuring a female protagonist.

In 2018, Aamir Khan starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan in Thugs of Hindostan, one of Bollywood’s most expensive films with a budget of ₹300 crore. Despite its grand scale, the film received negative reviews and, though it grossed ₹335 crore worldwide, it was considered a box office failure.

After a four-year hiatus, Khan returned with Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), an adaptation of Forrest Gump. Directed by Advait Chandan, the film received mixed reviews and failed commercially. Khan later admitted to making numerous mistakes with the project.

Film production and direction

Aamir Khan has been actively involved in writing, producing, and directing throughout his career. He co-wrote Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and later founded Aamir Khan Productions in 1999, debuting with Lagaan, which became India’s third-ever Academy Award nominee. His directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par (2007), won him the Filmfare Best Director award.

He also co-wrote Ghajini (2008) and produced films like Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008), Peepli Live (2010), and Delhi Belly (2011). His productions, Dangal and Secret Superstar, were massive hits in China, further expanding Indian cinema’s reach.

In 2024, he co-produced Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao. The film was critically acclaimed, became one of the most-watched Indian Netflix releases, and was India’s entry for the 97th Academy Awards. Khan is now producing Lahore 1947, a Partition-era film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, set for release in June 2025.

Television

Aamir Khan made his television debut with the talk show Satyamev Jayate on 6 May 2012, addressing various social issues. The show was broadcast simultaneously on StarPlus, Star World, and Doordarshan in eight languages, a first in India. It received positive feedback from social activists, media, and the public, though its initial television ratings were lower than other celebrity-hosted shows. Due to the overwhelming response, Khan later announced a second season of the show.