It seems that Aamir Khan’s romance with media is growing steadily. Smiling endearingly at the camera and looking every inch a charmer in a blue T-shirt, Aamir Khan exploded the popular belief that he is not media-friendly. In a candid chat with Zeenews reporter Swati Chaturvedi for 'Kahiye Janaab' (interview exclusively made available to spicezee.com), the reclusive Khan spoke about his attitude, life and films.
Q. What’s the secret of your youth?
A. Well, I have to thank my parents for that. It’s the kind of genes that I have. Then again I follow a very balanced diet and drink at least 4 litres of water everyday.
Q. So have you gone for any cosmetic surgery?
A. Till now, I have not felt any such need. However I am not against any such treatment. In future, if I feel the need I shall go for one. In my opinion a cosmetic surgery is just like make up that is used for enhanced effect. If your profession demands that you look good, then one needs to go in for such measures.
Q. You are blogging a lot these days and seeing your jam-packed schedule, one often wonders whether it’s really you or a ghost writer?
A. Its been almost a year since I started blogging. And yes, it’s me who is writing these blogs. But I wish I could write them more often. Currently I am only able to write it once or twice a week.
Q. Has blogging turned into a war as you have often poked fun at your colleagues like SRK and Salman?
A. I am very good friends with both Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. Shah Rukh often pulls my leg on stage, which I don’t mind at all. What’s good about our friendship is that we can joke with each other without any one of us feeling bad. I have the highest regard for both of them. However as for Salman I am yet to write on him. If I get a chance then I might just write on him. But I must clarify that I am not using my blog for any kind of war.
Q. You are an award winning actor, then why do you have a complete disdain for award functions?
A. It's not like that I do not like awards, everyone loves to be appreciated and I too feel good when my work is honoured. However, I do not go for ceremonies for which I have no regards for. I recently was honoured by the Dinanath Mangeshkar Award, for which I am humbled. I have a lot of regards for Lata ji and her family.
Q. What about awards such as Stardust and Filmafare?
A. I have no respect for such awards. And I leave it on you to guess the reason.
Q.Why did you not interact with media for a period as long as 2 year?
A. Before Rang de Basanri and Fanna released, I did not give interviews for two years. It was a deliberate decision, as I did not know how to present myself before the media and how to deal with them. So many channels and newspaper tabloids had cropped up and the kind of competition the channels have for TRP s made the atmosphere in media very complex so I decided to stay away.
Q. But even after RDB, you gave just one interview and after that you shunned media, why?
A. I think I shunned media for around two years. After RDB and Fanaa, I didn’t give any interview because I didn’t know how to deal with you guys. I had given one interview after RDB and there were allegations that I was using media to promote my films. But that interview was an answer to a social issue. I am one of those artists, who do not want to use anyone. I just let my work speak. I did not give any interview after RDB and Fanaa, because I had to prove media that I was not using it for personal gains.
Q. You had made a statement that earlier there were a lot of difference between Page 1 and Page 3 reporting but now that line has disappeared. Do you mean it?
A. It’s not like there are not good reporters around. Some people still work hard while some do not and they may have their own reasons. I don’t want to pass any judgment. However, back then, I was confused, my statements were misquoted. I was hurt. My private life was being invaded, there were professional allegations. Media should be responsible about right reporting. But I have friends in media, who convinced me not to shun media. You cannot bring positive change in something or someone by just shunning it, you need to get involved. Then, I thought I should change myself.
Q. What is your stand on onscreen smoking? If Ramadoss asks you not to smoke in films, what would you do?
A. First of all, I should say that cigarette smoking is very harmful for health. I advice youngsters not to smoke. I appreciate government’s move to stop smoking but I don’t agree that films should not carry smoking scenes. Films show good as well as bad aspects of life. Even a murder is shown in movies, which is illegal but that doesn’t mean that we will not show murder scenes. If such restrictions are imposed then there is no point in making cinema. Onscreen smoking should not be banned.
Q. Has being a perfectionist affected your personal life as you are now estranged with your father and brother?
A. I do not know if I am a perfectionist or not but I do my work with complete dedication. But I also know that in life nothing is perfect. My main intention is to recognise the crux of the matter. A shot may be technically perfect but it may not have the essence of the matter. Personally, there are a lot of people that I share a rapport with like my mother, my sister, children and my wife. I feel that every person has ups and downs in life and I can truthfully say that I have always done my best to maintain all relationships. Perhaps, somewhere I may have failed but I have always tried. In whole, my relationships have been successful.
Q. It’s alleged that you ousted Amol Gupte, the director of TZP and took his place as the director…
A. After I saw how the movie was shaping, I backed out. I asked Amol to make the movie on his own as it was his brainchild but I would not be a part of the movie as a producer or actor. I had lost my faith and dedication towards the project. The next day, Amol came to me and offered to back-out and asked me to direct the film. So, it was his idea that I should direct the film.
Q. Recently, it was said that you rejected your wife Kiran Rao’s script. What kind of relationship do you share with her?
A. No, it’s a wrong report. Infact, I liked her script, she is finalizing the script and soon a movie would be made on it. We are each other’s best critics and we confide about our respective works. If Kiran would like me to work in her film, I would definitely do it but at present she is looking for fresh faces for her film.
Q. Tell us something about your upcoming film Ghajini?
A. I saw the Tamil version of the film and liked it immensely. Then, I thought a Hindi film should be made on it. So, we are making the film.
Adaptation: Shivangi Singh & Tanu Talwar