Aamir Khan, one of Bollywood's most successful and respected actors, recently revealed that he was "unhappy" with his work in the early years of his career, even after the blockbuster success of his debut film, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT).
In a recent live conversation with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor – Entertainment & Lifestyle, Hindustan Times, Khan opened up about the difficult phases of his professional life. Despite QSQT making him an overnight star, the actor confessed that he wasn't getting offers from the directors he wanted to work with. He signed about eight or nine films after QSQT, a decision he came to regret. "My sensibility did not match with the people I was working with," Aamir said.
The films that followed QSQT began to flop at the box office, leading the media to label him a "one-film wonder". "The films released and they started bombing. I was labelled a one-film wonder by the media, and rightly so," he admitted. He likened his career at that time to being stuck in quicksand. "My career was sinking. It felt like I was in a quicksand. I was very unhappy. I used to come home and cry," he told students at Bennett University. Aamir confessed that he felt his career was over because he still had unreleased films that he knew were bad. "Within the first two years of QSQT, I experienced the weakest stage of my life," he said. "The films I had signed started releasing and flopping one after the other. So, I was like, 'I am finished. There's no way I can survive this onslaught', since I knew how bad my other unreleased films were".
This period of struggle led him to make a crucial decision: he would not compromise on his work and would only sign films with a great director, script, and producer. "Until the director, script and producer are good, I would not sign another film,” he stated. He also shared that he had turned down a film offered by filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt because he wasn't convinced about the project.
Aamir's early career wasn't without its setbacks even before QSQT. He recalled being removed from a Gujarati play during his college days, despite being a hardworking member of the cast. This disappointment, however, led him to a diploma film project, which eventually paved the way for his debut role in Holi (1984).
Despite the early insecurities and struggles, Aamir learned that hard work and connecting with the audience were what truly mattered. The actor's dedication and talent eventually made him one of the most beloved actors in the industry. The massive success of Indra Kumar's Dil, co-starring Madhuri Dixit, brought Aamir back into the spotlight, setting him on the path to stardom.
Aamir also reflected on the financial struggles his family faced during his childhood. His father, a film producer, had to take loans with high-interest rates, leading to an eight-year period with no income. Aamir contributed to the household by giving his tennis prize money to his mother.
Aamir Khan's journey is a testament to his resilience and commitment to his craft. Despite facing initial setbacks and feeling "unhappy" with his early work, he persevered and went on to become one of the most influential and successful actors in Bollywood.
