I know I haven't discussed this on this blog as yet, but I have always been an Aamir Khan fan. Not that I do not like any other actor - I am also a big admirer of the inimitable Amitabh Bachchan and SRK, among many others.
But Aamir, truly, just stands apart.
Again, no disrespect to anyone, in fact, I think Amitabh Bachchan is the greatest actor we have seen, but the sheer planning, variety, attention to detail, exhaustive preparation for each character, ability to do justice to a script, and daredevilry to take up a challenge and rest your professional stakes on that one role for the entire year, takes some doing. Only a person with not just immense talent and intelligence, but also immense self-belief, can carry this off.
Shahrukh is wonderful too, but I have just one logic - I can swap any SRK role with Aamir - as in, I can expect AK to do any role done by SRK with as much elan, but cannot imagine SRK doing a Sarfarosh, a TZP, a Ghajini, etc. the way AK has.
Ofcourse, these are just my views and that is why you are reading them here - coz this is the reason I have created this space - to air my views, with the rationale behind my thoughts - you are free to agree/disagree.
I began reading Aamir's blog recently and it has only made me even more of an Aamir fan. Just reading his thoughts, the way he conveys everything, and mingles so humbly and freely with his fans, along with regular updates indicates a genuine desire to use the blog as a medium to connect with his audience in the way he wants it - informative, regular, fun-filled, informal, witty, and transparent (coming from the horse's mouth, it does not leave any room for speculation on anything and actually helps clears any misgivings anyone might have).
The fact that he has been finding time to not only personally write the blog so regularly, but also reading each and every reply to his posts and even replying back wherever required, displays genuine interest, sincerity, and attachment towards his blogging and affability by not letting any comment go unnoticed and many a time, also recognizing/appreciating it.
Here's just one sampler that I'm sure anyone who reads, would love. It shows the way Aamir used his body language, acting skills and intelligence to convey the right emotions and the non-verbal traits of the character (Bhuvan - the character he was portraying in Lagaan), on screen.
Highly recommend reading this entry on Creating Bhuvan.
I just felt so wonderful about being let in into the mind of this genius, who allowed us what all he tried and why, in projecting the right emotions and body language for his character.
And this is where I find him better than a ShahRukh as well as the great Amitabh Bachchan (even you yourself won't mind that na, Amitji - haayein..?!)
There are two main things that separate him from everyone else:
Abiility to research thoroughly and portray any character convincingly - By research I mean, genuinely thourough, exhaustive (and must surely be exhausting too!) research. And by any, I mean ANY: With due respects to others, but I think no one can match Aamir for his versatility. And it's not just about being versatile. What gets him the biggest edge is that he is most convincing in each of his so different roles - AK can portray a rebel (Mangal Pandey), a police officer (Sarfarosh), a mushy hero (QSQT), a strife-torn father-husband (Akele Hum Akele Tum), a lovable brat (RDB), a hilarious buffoon (Andaz Apna Apna), a comic hero (Ishq), a college-level hero (Jo Jeeta...), a tapori (Rangeela), an endearing rustic driver (Raja Hindustani), an urban youngster friend and lover (DCH), a terrorist in love (Fanaa), a rebellious youngster (Ghulam), an action hero (Ghajini), a sensitive teacher (TZP) - just to name a few..
And as you would know, the list ain't complete!
Which other hero has carried off such a huge run, variety and consistent string of quality roles for his movies?
Leader, Pioneer of Firsts - Whether it is the exhaustive preparation for a role, the unimaginable limits to which he can get soaked in his character, the great lengths to which he hedges his bets on only one project a year (by doing only 1-2 movies a year), thereby also displaying the strength of conviction to do quality-fulfilling and not indulge in needless money-raking movies, at the cost of churning inane performances in movie after movie: Go through any of the above traits and you will find even Amit sir, the legend has not made a conscious effort to dare do so few, so versatile and such intense movies, year after year after year.
And even more than these (but this is a trait in many other stars too), he also comes across as a genuine, unfazed-by-superstardom, well-meaning, sensible, mature, naturally friendly and peaceful guy with a wonderful heart and a great sense of humor - Not a bad list of ingredients in a person you'd like to have as a friend/mentor/guide.
I can go on and on but this should suffice for now - Aamir, if you are reading this, you deserve it, and no need to thank me!
Just keep up the great work, for we have spoiled and immuned ourselves to seeing nothing short of great stuff from you - and no need to take any pressure, yes, you are more than good enough. Touchwood!
Alright, one more line and his wife might begin to get fidgety. Mine too.
