SRK is the Baadshah & i am ikka

AAMIR KHAN tackles his food like his roles. Meticulously, and with an eye on the details. The triangular sandwich is neatly halved and consumed in two precise bites. A small piece of the medu vada is dipped in coconut chutney and eaten without a spoon. Of course, he chews 32 times.
Once his snack is over, he switches places. He wants to know everything: What my name means, how long I’ve been with The Indian Express, whether I live alone in Mumbai, how many people there are in my family, why my family shifted from Mirzapur to Chandigarh in 1984.



When I tell him we relocated after the anti-Sikh riots, he makes a face, ‘‘Gosh, that’s sad. But these things make you the person you’ll become.’’ He asks me how old I was when it happened. Soon, I’m sharing the intimate memories of a five-year-old with him. I tell him how my dad went missing for 10 days and came back clean-shaven and with cropped hair. “Hello uncle” were my first words to my father. Khan grimaces, ‘‘This should be in a movie.’’ Finally, it’s my turn to ask the questions.

What image comes to mind when I say Lagaan?
(Closes his eyes) I think of a team. Lagaan is a representation of the underdog achieving the impossible.

Is Lagaan a heavy burden to carry?
I’m happy my film was received so well and made an impact that went beyond a regular movie. Did you know it’s used as a case study in management schools and companies?

Is there constant pressure to do something different?
It’s a double-edged sword. I like the fact that my audience has high expectations of my work. I’m happy to shoulder that responsibility. But it does get scary at times.

Especially after a gap of four years.
I didn’t want it or plan it that way. But I was going through a big crisis in my personal life and was unable to work for quite a while.

How is your personal life now?
I think I’m at peace. My kids (Junaid and Ira) are fine.

What’s the status with Kiran Rao?
Well, she’s a part of my life. I’m very happy with her. And I hope it stays that way.

They’re predicting that Mangal Pandey: The Rising will get a record-breaking initial.
Yeah, it’s the first time in my career that I’ve requested my producer and distributors to release extra prints so that all my fans get to see the film at the earliest.

You must have really prepared for the role of Mangal Pandey.
My director Ketan Mehta has been living the material for 20 years. I joined him three years ago. I’ve tried to read up on all kinds of material to understand what life was like during that time. It’s a big responsibility to play the role of Mangal Pandey because he’s a figure in the minds of Indians. I want my audience to take back something they are proud of.

Tell me something I don’t know about him.
Did you know that for the British, Mangal Pandey became a symbol of Indian rebellion. They used to call anyone who rebelled, Pandey.

Quick, what is the best and worst thing about being Aamir Khan?
I value the love and respect of my audience. The most difficult thing to deal with is the unceasing pressure from all directions. People constantly want something from me. Someone wants me to do a film, sign an autograph, be a chief guest, attend a charity dinner or write a column.

The general impression is that you’re an island in Bollywood.
I function the way I do and value my privacy. I’m very protective about the time that I keep aside for my personal life.

But do you have friends in the industry?
Of course I do. What are you implying?

How many of them are on your speed dial?
I don’t use speed dial. I remember keying it in but I end up dialling the number. (Checks his phone). Okay, maybe you have a point. I don’t have anyone from the industry, it’s mostly family members and close friends.

Maybe that’s why you’re on a making-up spree these days. You’ve made up with Salman Khan and Yash Chopra.
Not at all. Making up would apply if I was not on good terms with them. Salman has been a colleague for 15 years and we have mutual respect and regard for each other. That’s never changed for me. As for Yashji, I’ve always had immense respect for him. If we had any disagreements, that’s between him and me. It’s something we’ve dealt with in the past. It’s not an issue now.

Who’s the No 1 Khan—you or Shah Rukh Khan?
I was in Pakistan when someone said that SRK is the badshah of Bollywood. So, I said yeah, he is the badshah but I’m the ikka.

Are you?
Why not? Hey, I’m saying this as a joke. I mean it, but it’s a joke.

How do you explain the national interest in your signing price?
I have no idea. Money is not a top priority for me, other things are more precious. I charge what I feel is appropriate for the film. I have no idea if it’s the lowest or the highest.

Do you really interfere with all your directors?
I’ve learnt to ignore this question.

When will you turn director?
I’m not ready. But hopefully, one day soon.

Which was the last film you wanted to be a part of as an actor?
I would’ve loved any role in Maqbool.

You look toned, has the fitness bug bitten you too?
I’m basically a lazy person. If the role requires a particular look then I’ll workout to achieve that. Since Mangal Pandey was a soldier, I wanted a raw and earthy physique. I hope I’m able to maintain it.


The general impression is that you’re an island in Bollywood.
I function the way I do and value my privacy. I’m very protective about the time that I keep aside for my personal life.

But do you have friends in the industry?
Of course I do. What are you implying?

How many of them are on your speed dial?
I don’t use speed dial. I remember keying it in but I end up dialling the number. (Checks his phone). Okay, maybe you have a point. I don’t have anyone from the industry, it’s mostly family members and close friends.

Maybe that’s why you’re on a making-up spree these days. You’ve made up with Salman Khan and Yash Chopra.
Not at all. Making up would apply if I was not on good terms with them. Salman has been a colleague for 15 years and we have mutual respect and regard for each other. That’s never changed for me. As for Yashji, I’ve always had immense respect for him. If we had any disagreements, that’s between him and me. It’s something we’ve dealt with in the past. It’s not an issue now.

Who’s the No 1 Khan—you or Shah Rukh Khan?
I was in Pakistan when someone said that SRK is the badshah of Bollywood. So, I said yeah, he is the badshah but I’m the ikka.

Are you?
Why not? Hey, I’m saying this as a joke. I mean it, but it’s a joke.

How do you explain the national interest in your signing price?
I have no idea. Money is not a top priority for me, other things are more precious. I charge what I feel is appropriate for the film. I have no idea if it’s the lowest or the highest.

Do you really interfere with all your directors?
I’ve learnt to ignore this question.

When will you turn director?
I’m not ready. But hopefully, one day soon.

Which was the last film you wanted to be a part of as an actor?
I would’ve loved any role in Maqbool.

You look toned, has the fitness bug bitten you too?
I’m basically a lazy person. If the role requires a particular look then I’ll workout to achieve that. Since Mangal Pandey was a soldier, I wanted a raw and earthy physique. I hope I’m able to maintain it.