Aarti Kapur Singh
The thinking Khan is in the news again for 3 Idiots, his latest film with Kareena Kapoor. Aamir Khan has been given the title the ‘Perfectionist’ for his meticulous work. But if you think his decisions are perfect, be it his choice of films or commercials, you are wrong. At least if we are to go by what he said to Aarti Kapur Singh.
Aarti Kapur Singh: Aamir, first things first, what made you take up a film that had not one, but three idiots in a titular role?
Aamir Khan: (Laughs) All the professional decisions he has taken over the years have been absurd, and 3 Idiots is one of them. I have taken the risk of playing a 22-year-old character when I’m already 44. People thought I was mad when he announced that I was making a film on dyslexia (Taare Zameen Par). It was an equally crazy decision to take up Rang De Basanti, as it was the fifth remake of Bhagat Singh. Lagaan, which represented Indian cinema at the Oscars, was no different. I think it was a disastrous decision. And ironically, all the mentioned films, which came out of idiotic decisions, were big hits. I just can’t help it. None of my decisions have been practical.
But jokes apart, it is the script and to an extent that hypnotizes me. If I like a story, I have to help tell it. It is a compulsion. I want to do something different and what I can enjoy, be it films or commercials. I took the risk of playing a character much younger to my age in 3 Idiots because of director Rajkumar Hirani, who I am a big fan of and I’ve been very keen to work with. The film has turned out great – it is pure entertainment laced with a message, what more could one ask for.
AKS: And how do you define an ‘idiot’?
AK: I think there is a distinction between the term “idiots” and “stupid”. Idiots are very normal persons who at some point prove themselves in an unconventional way. Idiots are thought to be very normal persons but at some point of time they prove themselves to be someone with extra caliber. They are not stupid; rather they come to limelight in a different way.
AKS: For the umpteenth time and to get the record straight, is this Five Point Someone (Chetan Bhagat’s novel of the same name)?
AK: Well, the script began from the book. Raju (director Rajkumar Hirani) started out adapting that story for his film, but somewhere down the line, his individual creativity took over. Now, 3 Idiots is a story that Raju wishes to tell.
AKS: So, tell us about Rajkumar Hirani. How was it to work with him?
AK: I was always keen to work with Raju. I had high expectations of his abilities and he lived up to his name. He is a great storyteller. He was very immersed in the film and the story that he was telling. His detailing was very good and his planning spot-on. I like working with methodical directors and he is one of them.
AKS: You are a 44-year old, who’s playing a 22-year-old college student in the film. How did you pull it off?
AK: You know, frankly, I was very hesitant to do the part. But it was Raju who insisted I could pull it off. In fact, one day before the schedule was to begin, I texted both Raju and Vidhu Vinod Chopra if they still wanted to go ahead with me, and they asked me to shut up and come!
It was Raju’s vision all along. He told me that he saw a lot of Rancho in me – breaking rules all the time, and a non-conformist. I just swam with him. It is sad though that first I had to work hard to get beefed up for Ghajini and then work hard to lose it all to become Rancho (laughs). I mostly observed a lot of my son Junaid’s friends.
AKS: Who is Rancho? Did you relate to him?
AK: Rancho is a free-spirited young man and ever confused about kissing. Rancho is a lot of me. He believes in a lot of my beliefs – follow your heart and make your own path. I am like that.
AKS: Did playing Rancho make you miss college?
AK: Oh yes! You know I missed out on college as I started assisting on films pretty early. So I am thankful to raju that atleast this way, I could experience that part of life that I had missed out on.
AKS: Kareena Kapoor has always said that she was desperate to work with you, how was it like to shoot with someone who is a fan of yours?
AK: That’s very gracious of her. She is a great actress as well and it was a pleasure to work with her. Our first schedule together was in Ladakh, but we got snowed out. She was a pleasure to work with. I am glad to have worked with her.
AKS: Now all three of you – Rajkumar Hirani, the director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the producer, and yourself – are successful filmmakers in your own right. Did that lead to any creative arguments or ego tussles on the sets of 3 Idiots?
AK: No such thing. In fact, we all knew that in a film, the director is the boss. We have all been in that position. As a crew all of us sat together most of the time to discuss things, but it was Raju’s word that mattered in the end.
AKS: This year will hopefully end with a bang for you. What about next year?
AK: I am looking forward to Dhobi Ghat, my wife Kiran’s directorial debut, which is expected sometime in the second half of 2010. Then there’s Delhi Belly and Peepli Live, directed by Anusha Rizvi. In fact Peepli Live, about farmer’s suicides in India will be screened at the prestigious Sundance Festival in USA. I am so happy and proud of Anusha. If I am not mistaken, Peepli Live is the first Indian film to make it to the competition.
AKS: Thanks Aamir, for talking to us, wish you all the best for all your ventures and the year ahead!
AK: Thanks Aarti! And I wish the same for you and all the readers and staff of The Indian.
