In the early 1990s when most Bollywood stars were running from one set to another doing multiple films at the same time, there was one actor who stood out from the crowd, choosing to make just one good film each year.
He is none other than the perfectionist Aamir Khan. The superstar was drawn towards film from childhood and he was successfully launched in 1988's Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT).
He was an instant hit, thanks to his sweet boyish looks and natural acting skills. His stature as an actor grew over the years and he continues to make a lasting impression on audiences.
Khan wowed his fans recently with his directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par. The star turns 43 tomorrow, a day that coincides with his completion of two decades of acting, producing and directing.
We take a look at his professional and personal life that has contributed to his immense success.
Hits and Misses
Cashing on his romantic hero image in QSQT, Khan delivered the big hits Dil (1990) and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi (1991). After doing some forgettable films, he switched to method acting by preparing for a role in advance in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992), in which he played a high school student, and his efforts paid off.
After another romantic hit in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, he made an attempt at action roles in Parampara (1993), Aatank Hi Aatank and Baazi (1994) but failed.
Khan then displayed his flair for comedy in the all-time comic classic Andaz Apna Apna (1994). Ram Gopal Varma's super hit Rangeela (1995) made Khan a favourite among the masses, thanks to the flamboyant character he played to perfection. In 1996, Khan delivered one of his biggest hits with Raja Hindustani that was famous for his long kiss with Karisma Kapoor.
He continued with his one-film-per-year formula and succeeded with Ishq (1997) and Ghulam (1998). But 1999 was exceptional when he had three releases, and only Sarfarosh was successful.
Khan then acted in what was one of his worst films, Mela (2000), but he quickly made amends with 2001's groundbreaking film, the Oscar-nominated Lagaan and the cult-classic Dil Chahta Hai.
After a four-year hiatus, he returned in 2005's disappointing Mangal Pandey, but bounced back quickly with the trendsetting blockbuster Rang De Basanti. This was followed with yet another hit, Fanaa (2006).
His directorial debut Taare Zameen Par won him great critical acclaim and was the highest grossing film of his career.
Khan and Juhi Chawla will be best remembered for their enticing onscreen chemistry ever since they teamed up in their first blockbuster QSQT.
Best Onscreen Pair
The audience loved seeing them together even in disastrous flicks such as Love Love Love, Tum Mere Ho, Daulat Ki Jung and Aatank Hi Aatank. And whenever their films were good, fans lapped them up in a big way whether it was Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke or Ishq.
Their irresistible chemistry is hard to ignore even in short cameos such as in Andaz Apna Apna. Khan has never been able to repeat this chemistry with any other actress since most of his heroines were just one-hit wonders, whether it was Madhuri Dixit in Dil, Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela, Kapoor in Raja Hindustani or Preity Zinta in Dil Chahta Hai. It remains to be seen if he will act again with Kajol considering that they made an endearing pair together in Fanaa.
Perfectionist
His penchant for perfection and professionalism has put him in the bad books of his colleagues. He wasn't happy with Salman Khan's unprofessional attitude on the sets of Andaz Apna Apna and to this day they haven't been seen together on screen.
In his attempt to add realism to his performance, he almost choked actor Pramod Moutho during the shooting of Raja Hindustani.
Moreover, his perception of perfect cinema doesn't get well with other successful players in the industry. Though Rangeela was a huge smash, Khan was outspoken about Varma's limitations as a director.
In fact, in a recent interview he criticised Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black and Amitabh Bachchan's role in the film even though Black was critically acclaimed and swept all the top honours. This has definitely not gone down well with Bachchan, who lambasted him in the press.
Controversial
At the young age of 22, Khan married Reena Dutta much against his family's wishes and his marriage remained a secret until his debut film was released and declared a major hit. Although he maintained a clean image, occasional rumours of alleged affairs with his co-stars surfaced, such as whispers of a fling with Mamta Kulkarni during the making of Baazi.
In reality, things were less than hunky-dory in his marital life and that became public when Khan filed for divorce, ending his tumultuous 15-year marriage with Dutta.
His clandestine affair with British journalist Jessica Hines, which resulted in an illegitimate baby named Jaan Hines, was considered the main reason for the divorce.
In between he was also linked with Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee. He started dating Kiran Rao, assistant director of Lagaan and finally married her in a low-key affair on December 28, 2005, to the surprise of many.
Khan may be a perfectionist when it comes to presenting himself on screen, but off-screen he definitely falls short of being the perfect human being. Nevertheless, his fans love him for the quality cinema associated with his name.
Awards functions: Missing in action
Aamir Khan won the Best Male Debutant Filmfare Award for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak but failed to win the best actor award for the next eight years despite delivering some sparkling performances that were considered worthy of nominations.
When he was ignored for his brilliant act in Rangeela, where he lost to Shah Rukh's performance in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Khan decided to boycott film awards. Ironically, the very next year he won his first Filmfare award for Best Actor for a mediocre performance in Raja Hindustani.
He was finally seen at an Oscar awards function in early 2002 with Lagaan being nominated in the Best Foreign Film category. Although he won best actor awards for this film in various Bollywood competitions, he still refused to attend them, drawing criticism that he only wanted foreign recognition, while ignoring Indian awards. Last month Aamir Khan's directorial debut Taare Zameen Par swept the 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards with the film bagging the honours for its director, lead actor, story writer and lyricist.
The movie, which received plaudits from critics and audiences for its sensitive portrayal of a young boy attempting to deal with learning disability, walked away with the Best Film Award.
