Aamir Khan

Aamir Khan is a famous Indian actor, director, producer, and TV host. Known as one of the most prominent actors of Indian cinema, Khan has won four ‘National Film Awards’ as well as nine ‘Filmfare Awards’ in his career so far. He has also earned an ‘Oscar’ nomination for the film 'Lagaan.' Khan, who is an internationally recognized actor, has been described by ‘Forbes’ magazine as "The World's Biggest Movie Star." One of the highest grossing actors of Bollywood, Khan's greatest commercial hits include '3 Idiots,' 'PK,' and 'Dangal.' Several of his films have held records for being the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. One of his films 'Dangal,' made with a budget of Rs. 70 crore, grossed more than Rs. 2000 crore. Also a philanthropist and humanitarian, Khan has participated in various social campaigns. He created and hosted the Indian talk show 'Satyamev Jayate' where he highlighted important social issues in India. The show received massive popularity and appreciation. Khan kindled controversy when he expressed his feelings about the rising intolerance in India at an event. Not only did he receive huge backlash for his comments but a lawsuit was filed against him and his wife as well. Later, he clarified that he never meant to say Indians were intolerant, and that his comments were taken out of context.

Aamir Khan was born Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan on 14 March 1965, in Mumbai, India, to Tahir Hussain, a film producer, and Zeenat Hussain. He is the eldest of four siblings. He is related to several renowned members of Bollywood.

He appeared in two films as a child actor. Before he began his career as a professional actor, Khan was involved in the making of several films.

Aamir Khan played his first major film role in the 1984 drama 'Holi' where he played the role of a college student.

He next played the lead role in the romantic film 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.' It was based on Shakespeare's play ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ The film was a huge hit, winning a ‘National Film Award’ and eight ‘Filmfare Awards.’ It brought Khan into prominence and won him the ‘Filmfare Award’ for ‘Best Male Debut.’

Khan appeared in the 1989 crime thriller 'Raakh.' He received critical acclaim for his performance and won his first ‘National Film Award.’ Over the next few months, he appeared in several unsuccessful films, such as 'Love Love Love' and 'Tum Mere Ho.' His next successful film was the 1990 romantic drama 'Dil.'

In the early-1990s, Khan appeared in several popular films, such as ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’ (1991), ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ (1992), ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ (1994), ‘Rangeela’ (1995), and 'Akele Hum Akele Tum' (1995). In 1996, he appeared in 'Raja Hindustani' for which he won the ‘Filmfare Award’ for ‘Best Actor.’

His popularity grew with his roles in several hit films, such as ‘Earth’ (1998), 'Sarfarosh' (1999), and 'Mela' (2000). He produced and played the lead role in the 2001 film 'Lagaan.' The film was a huge success, receiving international recognition and winning numerous awards. It earned an ‘Oscar’ nomination for 'Best Foreign Language Film.' It also won Khan his second ‘Filmfare Award’ for ‘Best Actor.’

After his work in the hit film 'Dil Chahta Hai,' Khan took a four-year break from Bollywood. He made his comeback in 2005 when he appeared in the film 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising,' playing the titular role. The film was about an Indian revolutionary who sparked the ‘Indian Rebellion of 1857.’

His next appearance was in the critically acclaimed 2006 film 'Rang De Basanti.' It earned him a ‘Filmfare Critics Award’ for ‘Best Actor.’ The film was India's official entry to the ‘Oscars,’ but it didn't earn a nomination.

After his portrayal of a negative character in the 2006 film 'Fanaa,' Khan made his directorial debut with the 2007 drama film 'Taare Zameen Par.' It earned much popularity and appreciation. The film won him a ‘National Film Award’ and two ‘Filmfare Awards.’

Aamir Khan then played the lead role in the 2008 action thriller ‘Ghajini.’ The film was inspired by Christopher Nolan’s famous film ‘Memento.’ ‘Ghajini’ was a commercial success. His next film ‘3 Idiots’ was also a huge hit. It earned international popularity and won three ‘National Film Awards’ and six ‘Filmfare Awards.’

His next significant work was ‘Talaash: The Answer Lies Within,’ a horror thriller, where he played the lead role. His next film ‘Dhoom 3,’ where he was seen in dual role, was the highest grossing film of 2013. Since 2012, he has also been hosting the popular talk show ‘Satyamev Jayate.’

He portrayed an alien in the 2014 sci-fi comedy film ‘PK.’ The film was a huge critical and commercial success. His next film ‘Dangal,’ which released in 2016, was also a success, and is so-far the highest grossing film in the history of Indian cinema. It won him a ‘Filmfare Award’ for ‘Best Actor.’ In 2017, he played a supporting role in the film ‘Secret Superstar.’

In 2018, he was seen in an action-adventure film titled ‘Thugs of Hindostan,’ which received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences.

‘Lagaan’ (Taxation), a 2001 sports drama film, is one of Aamir Khan’s most successful works. The film was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Khan himself. Khan also played the lead role in the film. The story was set during the time when India was under colonial rule. It revolved around a few villagers who are challenged to a game of cricket in order to avoid high taxes. The film was a huge success internationally, winning several awards. It was also nominated for an ‘Oscar.’

Another significant work in Aamir Khan’s career is the 2006 Indian drama film ‘Rang De Basanti.’ It was directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and starred Khan in one of the main roles. The film, upon its release, became the highest grossing Indian film at the time. It revolved around a British filmmaker who attempts to make a film on the Indian freedom struggle with five young men. The film won four ‘National Film Awards.’ It also earned a nomination for the ‘British Academy Film Award.’

One of Khan’s most popular and successful works is the 2009 comedy drama film ‘3 Idiots.’ Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film is known for its criticism of the Indian education system. Inspired by the novel ‘5 Point Someone’ by Chetan Bhagat, the film revolved around the struggles of three close friends at an engineering institute. The film earned positive reviews from the critics. Upon its release, it became the highest grossing Indian film and won many awards, including five ‘Filmfare Awards.’

‘PK,’ a 2014 satirical sci-fi comedy film, is one of the most popular works of Aamir Khan. The film was directed by Rajkumar Hirani. It is about an alien who comes to the Earth for research purpose and loses his remote, without which he can’t get back to his planet. In the process of finding his remote, he questions the religious dogmas and superstitions. The film was a huge success commercially and critically. However, it attracted controversy due to its criticism of organized religion.

Aamir Khan has won four ‘National Film Awards’ for his films ‘Qayamat se Qayamat Tak,’ ‘Lagaan,’ ‘Madness in the Desert,’ and ‘Taare Zameen Par.’ Other awards won by him include nine ‘Filmfare Awards.’

His film ‘Lagaan’ earned an ‘Oscar’ nomination for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film.’

He has won numerous other awards, such as ‘Bollywood Movie Award’ and the ‘International Indian Film Academy Award.’

He was honored with the ‘Padma Shree’ and the ‘Padma Bhushan,’ the fourth and third highest civilian awards in India, in 2003 and 2010, respectively.

In 2013, ‘TIME’ magazine named him as one of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World.’

Aamir Khan was married to Reena Dutta from 1986 to 2002. They have two children, Junaid and Ira.

He married Kiran Rao, a film producer, screenwriter, and director, in 2005. They have a son named Azad, who was born through a surrogate mother.

Aamir Khan became a vegan in 2015, mostly due to health reasons, after being inspired by his wife.

He kindled a huge controversy in 2015 after stating his views on rising intolerance in India. He received major backlash, especially from aggressive Indian nationalists, to which he responded that they were only proving his point.

Later in an interview, he clarified that he never meant to say India as a country was intolerant. He said that his words were misinterpreted by the media and that people were quick to judge him without watching the actual interview.

He is also known for his contribution to humanitarian causes. He was appointed by the UNICEF in 2011 to promote child nutrition.