Bollywood star Aamir Khan, often referred to as Mr. Perfectionist, is happy with the performances of the younger actors in his upcoming film, Dangal.
He said: “If I have to rate our performance in the film, I would say that these kids performed ten times better than what I did. No, I am not exaggerating anything. Once the film releases, the audience will understand. I have been working in the industry for last 25 years, but these kids are highly talented.”
Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is based on the true story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who taught his daughters, Geeta and Babita, how to wrestle. They went on to win medals in the Commonwealth Games.
The casting team spent almost eight months to shortlist actors from across the country.
After three months of auditions, they finally chose Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Suhani Bhatnagar and Zaira Wasim. While Fatima plays Geeta Phogat, Suhani plays young Babita Kumari in the movie.
Talking about the importance of casting the right child actor, Khan said: “After deciding to make the film, I and Nitesh were sure about the fact that if we cannot cast the right kid, we would not make the film. The major part of the film is dependent on their performance. It was not acting, but physical fitness for wrestling.”
Sharing her excitement, Wasim said: “When I finally got to know after audition and a monthlong wait that they have selected me and I was going to act with Aamir Khan, it took me a while to consume the reality. I think I asked the production guy five times that if they are sure.”
“I had a gala time shooting with the whole team of Dangal. Though he played a Hhaanikarak bapu [detrimental father] in the film, he is just the opposite on set. He is fun-loving, down to earth and treats everyone equally.”
And Khan learnt a thing or two from his young co-stars, too. “I learnt a lot of pranks from these kids. I always believe that I am yet to grow up, and still a child from within. Working with these kids made me enjoy that,” he explained.
He also said all parents should support their children’s dreams.
“As a father, I always support my kids to do whatever they wish to do. I believe that parents should support their kids to achieve their dreams rather than decide it for them. However, the film is not based on my life!”
“Though in the beginning children go through an indecisive phase, instead of pressurising them to pursue their unfulfilled dreams, parents should help them to find a way to decide a career path. I was quite rebellious when I decided to become an actor,” he said at an event to launch a song of Dangal.
Khan, a father of three children, said that he encourages individuality and is not very strict with his children.
The film celebrates the gender equality, Khan said.
“It is a great change of perception and celebration of gender equality. This year two women won Olympic medals for our country and made us proud. Personally, neither I look at girls and boys differently nor I have grown up seeing such difference in our household. Both my sisters were treated with equality while growing up,” said Khan
Khan and Tiwari, who have both made children-based films earlier — Taare Zameen Par and Bhoothnath Returns respectively — said that in Bollywood, children’s film is an unexplored genre that needs encouragement.
“I would be more than happy to see that more filmmakers are doing children’s films. The kinds of films kids are watching are not appropriate for them. Since they do not have many options, they are watching them. I wish people were making more family films like Dangal,” said Khan.
The first song of Dangal, titled Hanikaarak Baapu and composed by Pritam, was released on Saturday. The film will release in the UAE on December 22.