Aamir Khan on 4 decades in cinema, taking risks, staying relevant: 'No secret sauce, hard work, perseverance, lage raho'
ETimes May 14, 2026 05:39 PM
Aamir Khan has been a part of Indian cinema for nearly four decades, and throughout this journey, he has always managed to surprise his audience. He has done all kinds of films like love stories, comedies, socially important films, and big commercial entertainers. He takes his time, chooses his projects carefully, and has always believed in quality over quantity.
Aamir Khan recalls his most dangerous stunt and first big purchaseIn a candid conversation with Variety India, Aamir looked back on some of the defining moments of his personal and professional life. When asked about the most dangerous stunt he has ever performed on camera, he didn't hold back. "First stunt I don't remember, but the most dangerous stunt I performed was running in front of a train. It was a little too much, but luckily nothing happened," he recalled. Despite being one of the biggest names in the industry today, Aamir revealed that his first major splurge was anything but extravagant. "I think the most expensive thing I bought was probably my first house. Yeah, that was the first thing I bought," he said.
' Delhi Belly ' script kept him up all nightThe actor also shared that 'Delhi Belly' was the first script that kept him hooked through the night, reading it in one go, a fact that makes perfect sense given how the 2011 dark comedy went on to become one of the most celebrated cult films under his production banner. On the topic of seeking feedback before taking up a project, Aamir surprised many with his response. When asked who the first person he turns to for an honest opinion on a script is, he simply said, "No one." The answer spoke volumes about the instinct-driven approach that has long guided his career decisions. Shifting to lighter ground, the actor was asked about his favorite cheat meal after going through a physical transformation. Without missing a beat, he brought the conversation back to his roots. "Oh, I can't remember. But I think my favorite food is my mom's cooking, so anything that my mom makes," he said warmly.
Aamir Khan credits Ashutosh Gowariker and says film sets feel like homeHe also took a moment to acknowledge filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, calling him one of the people in the industry who believed in him early on. The two joined hands for the Oscar-nominated ' Lagaan ', a film that remains one of the most celebrated chapters in both their careers. Even after spending decades in the business, Aamir admitted that nothing makes him feel more at ease than being on a film set. "Most film sets, I'm at home only, I'm happy on film sets," he said.
From 'Papa Kehte Hain' to the secret of his success, Aamir Khan keeps it simpleAamir also talked about his early days in the industry and shared fond memories of working with Juhi Chawla and Madhuri Dixit , who were his co-stars in some of the biggest films of the 1990s. When asked about a song that became a cultural moment, Aamir did not have to think twice. "Papa kehte hai, yeah, I guess," he said, pointing to the beloved song from his very first film ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’, which is still remembered and loved by many. When asked what keeps him going after so many years in the industry, Aamir gave a simple and honest answer. "There is no secret sauce actually; it's a very old sauce. Hard work, perseverance, lage raho. And just give it your best," he said.
Aamir Khan work front
On the professional front, Aamir made his comeback on the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par, after his previous film Laal Singh Chaddha failed to perform well at the box office. He was also recently spotted in a cameo role in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos.
