The Best of Amir Khan

A sneak peek into some of his memorable roles in films

Avani Jain in Pune

It would be tough to define Aamir Khan in one word. Tagged as perfectionist, maverick, a marketing genius, Mr. Blockbuster and now a conscious director, Khan's success script is what masala Hindi films are made of.
Be it Amar of Andaaz Apna Apna (1944), a boorish chauvinistic husband Raja of Raja Hindustani (1996), courageous ACP Rathore of Sarfarosh (1999), fierce farmer- Bhuvan of Oscar nominated Lagaan (2001) or a tapori Munna singing 'Aati Kya Khandala' in Ghulam (1998), he is loved by the audience in every Avatar.

Image: Amir at 2010 Toronto Internation Film Festival

Source: http://www.amirkhan.com/

Born to producer Tahir Hussain, Aamir Khan's debut film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak refashioned filmdom's lingua franca and his latest Dhobi Ghat where he plays the character of a painter Arun proved that he's capable of creating magic with not just commercial movies, but also off-beat movies.

Amir has 33 films to his credit in his 23-year long film journey with almost a dozen astounding hits and mind-blowing performances. This journey has been an uncompromising one - paced at his will and whim - with controversy, awards, friends and fights strewn along the way.
As he turns 46 on March 14, here's a look at his best roles unadulterated.

Image: Trailer of Amir's latest Dhobighat
Source: http://www.youtube.com/


Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)
Aamir Khan's effervescent debut in this film made him an overnight sensation. His portrayal of a teenage-lover was everything giggly girls wanted to see on-screen. His dramatisation of Raj was of the boy-next-door without cockiness but charisma, without smarts but heart and of silence rather than verbose dialogue.

Image: A scene from Qayamat se Qayamat tak
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Rangeela (1995)
Aamir Khan's role of tapori Munna set off a slew of characters. His street smart tapori's claim to love and good life had an unbelievably soppy and sugar-sweet ending. But it had us all rooting for this underdog.
His wardrobe and lingua franca set off a new trend of both dialogues and made the bright and jazzy super cool!

Image: A scene from Rangeela
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
"Waise bhi perfection ko improve karna mushkil hota hai." This line perhaps identified the cockiness of Aamir Khan's character and his own towering standards in real life. Establishing his own relevance in Bollywood like his character, Khan gave Akash a character graph and an attitude that even the word cool couldn't.

mage: A scene from Dil Chahta Hai
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Rang De Basanti (2006)
As the flashy DJ, Aamir's character, says on screen, "We have one foot in the past, one in the future and are pissing on the present."
This dialogue outlined the premise of the movie whose message set off debates, candle light marches for the-then cases of Priyadashini Matoo, Jessica Lall and more, creating what is still dubbed as 'The RDB effect'.

Image: A scene from Rang De Basanti
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Taare Zameen Par (2007)
Playing art-school teacher Ram Shankar Nikhumb, he highlighted in the second half of the film, what a great school teacher can do for a student.
In this film, Aamir Khan very willingly lets his co-actors eclipse him. In fact, he underplays his part magnificently and munificently allows his fellow cast to be conspicuous in their respective parts. In actuality, not many actors in moviedom would dare to even think that way!

Image: A scene from Taare Zameen Par
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Ghajini (2008)
Much has been written about Aamir's muscles which he honed for a year as well as how he designed the marketing strategy for his home production to such an extent that it will now be taught as part of a course in film marketing at IIM-Ahmedabad.
Everything about the film -- from the phone numbers etched onto his body, his shaven look and even his memory loss -- made news.

Image: A scene from Ghajini
Source: http://www.ghajinimovie.com/

3 Idiots (2009)
A 44-year-old Aamir Khan played an IIT student without making him over the top. Playing Rancho inquisitive, innovative and easy, Khan seems to have hit the perfect formula to be an Idiot.
The famous dialogue- “success ke peeche mat bhago, kabil bano, success to jhak marke ayegi” holds true for Aamir Khan. The role is essentially appraised amongst the youngsters largely because it redefined education and tried to add a fun element to it. This film was a huge success at the box office and proved that surely “All izz well” with Aamir Khan.

Image: A scene from 3 Idiots

Source: http://www.rediff.com/