Salman is more popular than me: Aamir Khan

Salman is more popular than me: Aamir Khan Aamir Khan is in Chicago for three months. In a candid mood, he tells TOI why he has been missing from the big screen for such a long duration, who his close friends are, among other things. Excerpts of an exclusive interview with the superstar...

You’ve been missing from the big screen for nearly two years!
When my next movie releases in November this year, it will actually be close to two years since Dhobi Ghat (January 2011). I have rarely done three movies one after another. I’m not used to that style of working. But since I was consumed with my television show for the better part of this year, the movies had to wait.

Raju (Hirani) has patiently waited for you for over a year!
Well, Raju is one of the best directors we have. He’s a friend and and I’m grateful to him for being so patient.

3 Idiots is the lone film in the `200-cr club.
Haan, yaar. What makes me even more happy is the fact that 3 Idiots crossed the `200-cr mark though it was released three years ago with just 1500 prints. I give full credit for this film to Raju. Many of the other films that are in the `100-cr club have released with more than double the number of prints (Bodyguard released with 3500 prints) and have still done lesser revenue than 3 Idiots. However, I think I will soon have Salman’s company in the `200-cr club.

Who, according to you, is the biggest Khan at this point?
I am not able to judge myself. I find it very difficult to do that. I think, at this point of time, Salman’s popularity is on a big high. I personally believe he is much more popular than I am. I am a fan of Salman Khan’s. I love watching his movies. I must tell you a secret. I do not know how to whistle. But whenever Salman organises a trial of his film for me; which he always does; I carry a plastic whistle with me and I bring the house down with my ceetis. I don’t know about Shah Rukh. I can’t compare us.

Raju, Aditya (Chopra) and Farhan (Akhtar) are your close friends?
I enjoy the company of my directors even beyond the film set. A lot of our conversation outside the set revolves around films. But we don’t talk about cinema all the time. It would get too boring. I read a lot; discuss my other work with them. For me to be able to gel with a person I need to be able to laugh with that person. All these guys have a great sense of humour. I enjoy Ritesh Sidhwani’s company also.

You also have four gorgeous women working with you!
You’re right. Let’s forget my directors and discuss my heroines—Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. I’m working with four of the most beautiful and sought-after actress at this point. What more can I ask for?

One heard you recently purchased 22 houses in Shahabad, U.P.? Are you serious about your farming plans?
Of course I am serious about the farming bit. Incidentally, I have purchased the ancestral land in Shahabad Hardoi from 22 relatives. I haven’t bought 22 houses. There was miscommunication there. It is a 32-acre ancestral property with just one house on it. It is agricultural land with mango trees. And there are no plans to build on it.

Heard you’re doing movies with South villain turned-filmmaker Prakash Raj among other films…
I haven’t committed to any other film than the ones I have mentioned above. The rest are rumours.

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18 Comments
  1. Bored 12 years ago

    The liking that Aamir and Salman share with each other is quite unique considering both debuted at the same time (Salman one year later) and having spent 25 years in the industry as top stars.

    • Baba Ji 12 years ago

      there is no liking between them.i am pretty sure aamir does not even watch salman films or considers him to be even a serious star let alone bigger .what these two say about each other in print is bullcrap politics.aamir and salman had a riff during AAA shoot.there never worked in any film since then.right now both use each other to undermine srk.

      • sputnik 12 years ago

        LOL. Agree with you Baba

        When SRK was No 1, Aamir said Amitabh Bachchan was No 1 for him. But now he does not bring up Amitabh Bachchan anymore when he declares Salman as No 1 or when he talks about who is the biggest star now.

        A fee years back SRK was a star not a actor for Aamir and now it is this.

        “I don’t know about Shah Rukh. I can’t compare us.”

        If SRK’s movies don’t do well in the next couple of years Aamir will ask who is SRK 😉

      • hithere 12 years ago

        He has acknowledged even in relatively recent interviews that Salman made him mad during AAA becuase he use to be late.

        ps – He likes Govinda’s sandwich 😉

        • fearlesssoul 12 years ago

          Aamir also said, he would like to work with Salman again but problem is their working style is different. Salman is a superstar and comes on his own time where as he does labour work. Hence its not possible to come together unless something is being worked out. Similarly Salman says he was frustrated with Aamir’s retakes and even mentioned it on Dus ka Dum that Aamir’s retakes shoots up sometimes 50-70 times (just imagine), obviously both are not comfortable with their work style.

          Now about complimenting each other –

          When there was aishwarya’s tape controversy, Aamir’s frndship with Salman was never talked before that incident and Aamir turned up in the media and said Salman is very good friend of his and he really don’t knw what all this fuss is about. Salman can never do this and looks like he is framed.

          About politics, Didn’t Salman was all praise for Srk and vice versa when they were in good terms? its just that they still say what they feel and take digs at each other whenever the situation favors them – thats not politics but hatred or anger.

          About aamir’s statement, media never use to ask him about Salman prior Salman and Srk’s fight. it is also fact that Aamir was never in favor of Srk and he takes Srk as serious contender. So whats wrong in it? Its Srk who had tried to befriend with Aamir but the later somehow don’t feel comfortable or insecure towards srk. He even didn’t eat the chocolate that srk offered to Aamir during the Producers and distributors fight conference 😉 Yes he might like to undermine srk’s popularity using Salman’s name but i doubt about Salman and aamir’s or salman and srk’s friendship has any political motive.

          Basically its Salman who is straight forward without any motive. Rest I don’t care 😛

          • sputnik 12 years ago

            FS,
            salman still praises srk sometimes but aamir almost never does. Previously srk used to praise aamir sometimes but now he has stopped too. Media has been asking him about SMJ and he ignores the question.

            I have seen that DKD show. I posted old aamir interview where he was praising both salman after AAA and srk.

            Yes the real rivalry is between aamir and srk and both act weird when the other person’s name is mentioned.

            LOL on the chocolate thing.

            I liked the John Abraham thing that Salman mentioned in his interview.

          • hithere 12 years ago

            Whatever Aamir says I think Salman and Sanjay haven’t been best of their behavior in past. They are decent now.

  2. Milind 12 years ago

    All this bonhomie is lasting till D3 releases.Talaash will be a low key affair.It is apparent. So use Salman against SRK anyhow. The crux is SRK is the epicenter.No matter how big hits these two give for some years,they cannot rewrite history of 15-16 years where an outsider and junior left them way behind. SRK’s next three are bound to click as his last did. I am pretty sure as soon as Salman’s masala wave is over,this hypocrite will ask– “Did I mention about Salman ever?” He is highly insecure..knows his last breathing efforts wont place him ahead of SRK who might have had recent setback in Ra.1 but is sure to rebound back.

    See how he defends Talaash if it fails to do well as K786 is releasing just a week after. No wonder he may say–This film was only made for people of Red Light Areas.

    If D3 fails–he may totally disown the film or call it a HIT in Chicago as he called Mela a HIT in heartland of India.

  3. Rohit 12 years ago

    Guys chill. Stop being emotional about movie stars. Always appreciate an actors work on the screen, it doesn’t matter what they do in their personal life.

  4. Boxofficekings 12 years ago

    Arz Kiya Hai:

    Bodyguard did 20 cr first day , i texted Salman, he is number 1 , what is Chamak Challo?

    So since i don’t know about chamak challo , i didnt knew about Ra.One hype and expectations but later i did come out and tell everyone not to bash it even if it didn’t live upto hype.

    Also, even though i don’t know about business of SRK movies and cant compare him to myself, i did call all my links and distributors to confirm 2nd day collections of Ra.one as it was hard to believe it broke record in that way.

    Oh By the way, i am pumping Salman only to show SRK down, but only till Salman doesnt break 3 Idiots record, aila.

  5. Serenzy 12 years ago

    Milind,

    Chal let’s Agree Aamir is a Big Bastard Manipulator but that doesn’t take away the Fact that he has made Quality Movies Doubled up with Successful Ventures naa.

    So Aamir being the Bad Human doesnt affect his Filmmaking/Acting Talent anyhow!

    • milind 12 years ago

      Quality movies….3I is quality??? ghajini is quality”? Why is not veer zara not quality.why do you think romance is not quality??if that be so why cannot anyone else make or could make romantic films success.please come out of this cocoon of quality films theorem.SRK’s quality is no less than anyone else.And I can debate with anyone on this.

    • Shirazi 12 years ago

      Serenzy – People may bash but MNIK, Swades were also quality film when compared to 3I or rotten Gajini (rape of memento).

  6. Reddemon 12 years ago

    ‘you’re right. Let’s forget my directors and discuss my heroines- Rani Mukerji, kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. I’m working with four of the most beautiful and sough- after actress at this point. What more can i ask for?’
    -Little bit of height.

  7. Serenzy 12 years ago

    See Dr.Milu… U r trying to make SRK v/s Aamir here when I am just saying that Aamir is Not as Bad as u always Project him to be.

    Maybe he is a Big Time Creep in Personal Life but as far as his Movies r Concernd I hv constantly Liked them(Espc. frm the Last Decade except a Mela,MP,PL).

    When I say Aamir doles out Quality Movies my intention is Not to Undermine Shahrukh and his Romance!

    Thing is the Magic and the Aura a DDLJ,KKHH,KHKN created on my Little 90’s mind back then a KANK,RNBDJ,VZ,Chalte Chalte has Failed to Recreate it well except a Brilliant KHNH(Only talking Romance).

  8. Milind 12 years ago

    What about Swades[ it is recently voted as the most memorable film of 100 years by a daily], CDI,MNIK??

    RNBDJ is a BB with just one protagonist..no one knew Anushka!! CDI is again a single handedly carried film! The fact is SRK makes a film an eternal stuff that none around him can!!

    SRK is running a 1500 meters now alone because others are still running just 100 meters.He crossed those lanes long ago! Just that you were too little to have seen it. 😀

    Otherwise the day Dil Se debuted in Top 10 in UK,I remember TOI or Telegraph[don’t remember which] had carried a report on it.Many others are a historical achievement by him.I will elaborate that one day!

  9. Serenzy 12 years ago

    Thing is I consider Shahrukh to be one of the Best Actors f All-Time in Cinema History but his Movies off late(Post2006) hvent been liked by me much(Well, except a Redeeming Don2)

    But his Perfrmances hv been Good… liked him in Don2, Raj of RNBDJ, Fantastik in MNIK

    Sorry fr Mentioning VZ above… I am yet to watch VZ & Mohabbatien(I hvent bcz I am yet to recover frm the Crapness of DTPH).

    Which one u like more btwn Mohabbatien & VZ?

    ………….

    Chal tell me, dat still of Dilip Kumar u hv in ur Gravatar is frm vich Movie??

    I saw dat Still Pic in the Papers today and was Instantly Reminded abt u.

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