Aamir Khan is known to constantly push himself, raising the bar, setting benchmarks. This actor has always dared to tread on to territories hitherto not thought of, at least in Bollywood. And he keeps doing this with regularity. This time Aamir challenges himself in what will be his only film in 2014 – Rajkumar Hirani’s Peekay also written P.K. .
There’s so much already said about this ‘big one.’
Photographs leaked online shows Aamir wearing a skirt; he is supposed to have gone completely bare for a scene. Insiders say that Aamir essays the role of an alien that does not know what to wear and that the film is a political satire. Taking time out of from a hectic promotional tour of Satyamev Jayate , the second edition which premieres on Star Plus on March 2, Aamir refused to reveal anything about his forthcoming film.
On Peekay“I can’t tell you who or what Peekay is,” Aaamir said with a laugh. “Well for that you must watch the film. I can’t reveal it. But I’ll tell you Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) is a fantastic director and writer. Like his earlier films, 3 Idiots , Munnabhai MBBS , Lage Raho Munnabhai , this one too is essentially a drama but the vehicle he chooses to convey the story is humour. There is lot of humour but at heart it is a dramatic film. He has a knack of touching your heart, making you laugh and cry at the same time. I’m excited about the film,” is all that he discloses.
Peekay , Aamir says, has a week of work left. The film is expected to be released at the end of this year, Aamir’s favourite December 25 probably. The rest of the year he has set aside for Satyamev Jayate . “Researching and shooting for this show will take up the rest of my time. I’m fully dedicated to reaching out to more and more people through this show, a movement intended to ring in changes.”
The first season of Satyamev Jayate discussed burning issues like female infanticide, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, dowry, medical malpractice, and more. Aamir won rave reviews, many calling him the Oprah Winfrey of Indian television, others criticising him for breaking down in some of the episodes, but the show won global recognition and a place for Aamir on the cover of TIME magazine.
Films and TelevisionActing in films and television requires a special set of acting skills but Aamir swears that he does not act on television. “On the show I’m not the actor but the man. Films offer a variety of roles and demandacting. But in my show as Aamir Khan, with all his weaknesses, he is emotional, will cry, will laugh.”
Aamir has always been different, as an actor and as a person. He has a reputation of avoiding award functions; trying to stay away from the media glare, and even turning down the offer to immortalise him as a wax statue at Madame Tussauds. Is this I'll Do It My Way (the title of a book on the actor) attitude deliberate? “No. You know I just follow my heart. When I find something is not of value to me then I don’t do it. Instead I prefer to spend my time in thinking of things that have value. If I don’t go it is because I think it is of no value.”
Aamir has this penchant for perfection, to back new ideas, fresh talent as actor, producer and director. Aamir Khan Productions has come out with some films like Lagaan, Delhi Belly, Peepli Live, Talaash, Taare Zameen Par , which he also directed, which set off new trends in Hindi cinema. “I directed just one film. No more. I’m waiting because as an actor there is so much I want to do. I think I’m peaking as an actor and I don’t want to stop that. So, for the next four or five years I won’t be directing. I’m enjoying my work as an actor and I don’t want to be distracted. And about production, you know, Satyamev Jayate is an Aamir Khan Productions project. As and when we get full, good scripts we’ll produce them. Right now, this year, all that I’m doing is Satyamev Jayate .”
