Bollywood A-lister Aamir Khan may not be addressed as the king of Bollywood, but he certainly won the hearts of all those at the Gulf News editorial floor on Sunday morning.
For starters, the unassuming actor — clad in a simple black shirt and jeans — impressed us with his impeccable timing. Arriving at 10am sharp (being hours late is the Bollywood norm), it didn't take Khan long to make himself at home and fork out his expert comments. Like any savvy editor, it was also interesting to watch him boost our fragile egos.
"I am just a pretend-journalist for the day who is giving out opinions. But I really think you journalists do an incredible job especially since you all have to put together everything in less than 24 hours get the background details, important stories," said Khan, who is in town to promote his latest production Peepli Live.
In Pictures: Aamir visits Gulf News
Khan also relished the chance to hear directly from Gulf News readers, who were invited to send in their questions for the star which they did in impressive fashion. Not the one to shirk from sticky questions from why he shuns award ceremonies to whether Peepli Live panders to Western stereotypes of India Khan displayed a no-censorship stand.
Preview: Peepli Live
tabloid! picked the best questions to put to Khan, direct from the reader, and he answered them all candidly. What did most readers want to know? Read on for his answer, to that and more.
You are an influential person and God blessed you with everything. How are you paying forward all this? Riffat, Fujairah
I am trying to use the strength and support that I have got by doing work that I believe in. Films such as Rang De Basanti, Peepli Live, Taare Zameen Par and 3 Idiots are my investments and they speak about various social and political themes. I also encourage young talent, who often find it difficult to find a voice. Apart from my films, I have also lent my name to various causes and NGOs. For the moment, I am working on a suicide-prevention campaign and I am also the brand ambassador for sanitation in schools in India and the Association for Democratic Reforms.
How do you analyse a movie before signing on for it? Rajan Thomas, Dubai
I don't analyse scripts. When I am reading a script for the first time, I consider myself the audience. So if a story moves me, makes me laugh or makes me cry, or affects me emotionally as a person then I go for it. This goes for me as a director, producer or an actor.
Do you think there is a danger that Peepli Live will reaffirm Western stereotypes of India as a poor country? Anureet Kaur, Dubai
India as poor — Is that a Western stereotype of India? I think the West certainly knows what India is all about and there is no reason why we should be defensive about it. Peepli is Anusha's [Rizvi, director] perspective and we are a part of this project because we believe in her thoughts. It was not made to pander to anyone. Also, when you make films that are critical of your own society, it's an important process. Films like 3 Idiots, which was critical about the Indian education system, or Taare Zameen Par, which was critical of the way parents bring up their children, made a huge impact on people. So criticising yourself and your society is the first step towards improvement. You shouldn't bother about what people think about you. It is less important to feel ashamed that your country is being shown in a particular light. It is more important to feel ashamed that your country is in that particular way. So if I say — aree bhaiyya, Gareebi math dikhao [Hey bro, don't show poverty], it doesn't change the reality. Stop thinking short-term.
What if you had directed Peepli Live? What would he have done differently if he had directed the film? Anureet Kaur, Dubai
This is an obvious answer. Yes, I would have done it differently. But that will be the case even if you, Anureet, had directed this film. Each one of us would have done it differently, but the question is would I have done it better? I doubt it. I think it's Anusha's voice and story.
Why don't you attend awards functions? Shaun, Dubai
I have attended two award functions. One is the awards ceremony conducted by Chennai-based Gollapudi Memorial Foundation. This foundation was formed by a Chennai-based family whose son Srinivas Gollapudi had an accident while filming. In the memory of their son who couldn't complete his first film, this family set up an award for the directors. Winners are chosen after they watch films from across India. The other one is Dinanath Mangeshkar Award — a trust formed by Lata Mangeshkar for her father. Regarding attending popular awards [like Filmfare, Stardust and Zee], I need to value the award before I can go and accept it.
Does it bother you in any way that you are not addressed as the king of Bollywood by the media and people? Sheen Simon, Al Ain
I am not the king of Bollywood, so why should it upset me? Also for the record, I am also not the Baadshah (emperor) of Bollywood because I don't have any intention of ruling over anyone. I don't like to rule over people, I like to win their love. I would be unhappy if people or the media were to call me a king. No titles for me.
What is your next film that you will be directing, what genre is it, and who will be starring in it? Dina, Chicago
I have no idea what I am doing next. Right now, I am very involved with Peepli Live and only after its release, I will explore other options.
Can we expect to see you in an international film in the near future? Robin, Dubai
It depends mainly on the script. Over the last few years, I have received many Hollywood offers and I haven't liked any. For me the criteria for doing a film is not because it's from Hollywood. I will never do a film just because it's from Hollywood either. It doesn't matter where the script comes from - it can even be from Dubai.
Will we ever see you enter Indian politics? Raju Joseph, UAE
No I won't ever enter Indian politics. I am a creative person and I belong here. I know I can make a difference through my work and my films. I can contribute socially and politically as an artist and I have been doing that for some time.
Why don't you come up with a movie in which you promote the concept of "Go Green"? Touseef Ashfaq, Abu Dhabi
Just send me your script, Touseef. But seriously, I don't know how to answer questions like these. I am not the kind of person who goes around with a pre-determined agenda like, ‘Now let me do a movie about education or now let me do a film about rural problems'. I don't pick up issues and then decide that I want to make a film out of it. My primary responsibility is to make films that entertain people. When a person buys a ticket to watch my film, it's not to learn something. For that, he can go to college.
Do you plan to introduce Junaid and Ira [his children] into the industry? Suhail Syed, UAE
That's their decision. I will certainly not push them into the film industry. And haven't you seen the film 3 Idiots — how can you even think I will push them into any profession?
