Aamir Khan recently shared his admiration for Shah Rukh Khan's performance in the iconic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). In a recent interview, the actor also addressed the topic of competition among the three Khans - Aamir, Shah Rukh, and Salman - during the 1990s.

Aamir Khan acknowledged that a sense of competition did exist between them early in their careers. He explained that this was a natural and healthy aspiration, arising from a desire for success and audience appreciation. He clarified that his competitive spirit was never driven by negativity and that he consistently drew inspiration from the work of his peers, without resenting their achievements. Aamir emphasized that his primary competition has always been with himself, striving to improve his own work constantly.

Expanding on this point, Aamir specifically mentioned Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, expressing his genuine appreciation for the film and Shah Rukh Khan's performance. He stated that he enjoyed watching the movie and never felt the need to compete with it. In his own words, "I did not have in mind to do a romantic film like DDLJ because I like that film and I enjoy watching it. SRK has done a wonderful job. I enjoy it a lot, I also have fun watching it. So, I am not competing."

This isn't the first time Aamir Khan has publicly praised DDLJ. Back in 2020, on the film's 25th anniversary, Aamir penned a heartfelt tribute on social media. He described the film as "A hero who discovers his conscience, a heroine who finds her voice, [and a] villain who has a change of heart," highlighting its universal appeal. He also thanked Aditya Chopra, Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan, and the entire team for creating a film that continues to charm the world.

Interestingly, despite his current friendly stance, there was a time when DDLJ's success indirectly led to Aamir Khan's decision to abstain from attending award shows. Reports suggest that Aamir felt he deserved the Best Actor award at the Filmfare Awards in 1996 for his performance in Rangeela. However, the award went to Shah Rukh Khan for DDLJ. This perceived slight led Aamir to boycott film award ceremonies, as he felt they lacked credibility.

Despite any past feelings regarding awards, Aamir has maintained that he harbors no ill will towards Shah Rukh Khan or his work. In fact, Aamir has cited several of Shah Rukh's films as among his favorites, including Chak De! India and Swades.

In a past interview, Aamir was asked about his favorite films of other actors, he cited some of Shah Rukh's films. “I really liked many of Shah Rukh's films, especially 'Chak De! India', 'Swades', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and DDLJ ('Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge')" Aamir added.

Aamir Khan's upcoming film, Sitaare Zameen Par, is scheduled to be released on June 20, 2025.