SINGAPORE: Bollywood star Aamir Khan has reflected on his early career setbacks, the personal cost of his relentless work ethic, and exciting plans for a sequel to 3 Idiots.
Speaking at a session at Marina Bay Sands on Oct 22, the 61-year-old actor shared deep personal lessons alongside updates on his future projects.
Recalling the start of his career, Khan spoke about a difficult period following the success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).
Within six months, he signed nine or ten films, most of which ended up flopping and left him feeling overwhelmed.
"At that time, mentally and emotionally, I felt like I was in quicksand. I was sinking slowly, and the more I struggled to get out, the deeper I was going," he said.
The experience taught him to be far more selective. Even when his career was at a low point, he chose to turn down a film offered by top director Mahesh Bhatt because he did not like the script.
"Had I compromised that day, I think my entire career would have been a series of compromises," he explained. Khan became emotional when discussing how his complete devotion to filmmaking affected his home life.
The Covid-19 lockdown made him realise just how much time he had missed with his three children and loved ones after spending thirty years putting work first.
"If it goes on for 30 years, your kids have grown up," he said, describing the experience as a "deep sense of loss".
Since then, the actor has made a conscious effort to focus on his family and close friends.
"I'm so glad that this thought occurred to me when I was 56 and not when I was 86," he noted.
He added that he has cut back on his mobile phone use, admitting he is easily hooked by social media and needs time to let his mind wander naturally.
Reflecting on what cinema has taught him over the years, Khan singled out Taare Zameen Par (2007)—his acclaimed film about a boy with dyslexia—as a life-changing project.
He explained that researching the film taught him how vital it is to give people dignity, trust, and security.
"When you give another person dignity, self-respect, love, trust, faith and security, then you get those in return," he said.
Looking ahead, Khan revealed that director Rajkumar Hirani is currently writing a script for a sequel to the 2009 hit comedy-drama 3 Idiots.
"Hopefully, once I'm back in the next couple of weeks, he's going to narrate the final version to me. So, fingers crossed," he teased.
Khan's appearance at the event coincided with receiving the prestigious Screen Icon Award at the Singapore International Film Festival, as well as a special screening marking the 25th anniversary of his Oscar-nominated epic, Lagaan (2001).
Accepting the award, he insisted that filmmaking is always a team effort, sharing the honour with the writers, directors, and crews who have shaped his remarkable career.
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