Ekta Kapoor must be shocked when she got a call from Aamir Khan for two reasons. Firstly, Aamir is her idol. Secondly, the actor wanted to attach his home production Delhi Belly to her film Ragini MMS, which has been dogged by controversies.
It is said that Aamir called Ekta Kapoor, requesting her to attach the first theatrical promo of his film Delhi Belly with Ragini MMS, which is releasing this Friday (May 13). The actor has chosen Ekta's film to promote Delhi Belly, as he thinks that both belong to same genre.
It is said that Ekta felt honoured by the call from her idol and agreed to release Delhi Belly promo with Ragini MMS.
This is not a first look story for Raju Hirani’s 3 Idiots... this is about the dilAfter Kambakkht Ishq and Main Aur Mrs Khanna this year, both of which didn’t do anything for her, Kareena’s performances in Kurbaan and 3 Idiots are generating a deafening buzz already... and Bollywood’s most powerful actress is literally running between real life beau Saif Ali Khan (Kurbaan) and good friend Aamir (3 Idiots) between November 9-15... because that’s how her dates have been allotted for promotions.
Says Bebo, “Both Saif and Aamir are very dear to me. I think I've created magic with both co-stars and it is impossible for me to choose one over the other.” She recently shot a super-erotic, romantic number with Aamir in artificial rain. Insiders say that though the focal point in 3 Idiots is not the Aamir-Kareena romance, it is still a very endearing part of it. While Saif maintains that there is a tremendous curiosity about his pairing with Kareena because they are a real life couple too, Aamir says, “Kareena is one of the most beautiful actresses that we have today. She is also a very good friend and we have both worked very hard on this rain song. I hope people like it.”
He’s done wet songs before with Sonali Bendre in Sarfarosh and in Fanaa with Kajol, in which his chemistry with both actresses was highly appreciated... but with Kareena, well, Aamir feels the chemistry is combustible. Any wonder Bebo is smiling like a Cheshire cat that has got the cream.
Aamir Khan doesn't want to take chances with his upcoming venture. To get an honest opinion about his film, the actor has invited hundred people to watch the first half of 3 Idiots.
So would the story plot be leaked? We don't think so, for the people who are getting this rare opportunity are bound by a Non Disclosure Agreement. It will prevent people from discussing the movie or passing any opinion or judgment on it.
Needless to say, the 'lucky' people were more than thrilled and even took part in a film-discussion with the lead actor Aamir Khan after watching it, where Aamir encouraged them to speak their minds.
The practice of signing an NDA is quite common in Hollywood studios that hold screenings for a discerning public across the board nearly six months before a movie makes it to the screens.
This is the first time it has happened in Bollywood. That's surely not an idiotic strategy Aamir!
While Aamir Khan is an extremely talented actor but he was faced by a challenge when he had to ‘look’ like he was in his 20s for his role in 3 Idiots. He had to work hard on looking, behaving and dressing like youngsters these days do. His inspirations were mostly his son Junaid’s friends.
His character in the film, Rancho, is apparently based on his cousin Pablo, who is Mansoor Khan’s teenaged son. Aamir likes the way Pablo is so fidgety that he can’t stay still for a minute. He doesn’t stop to even talk.
Aamir’s wardrobe for the film was based on Ghajini director AR Murgadoss. The fact that Murgadoss always wears worn out clothes or T-shirts that are two sizes large for him was taken into consideration.
Aamir jokes that he had to first work hard to get eight packs for Ghajini and then lose them all to look lean for 3 Idiots. He also admits to borrowing some clothes from Murgadoss. He feels that it was most important to get into the character and feel young to pull it off well.
The ‘Taare Zameen Par’ teacher surfaced in Aamir Khan when he met the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently. The brand ambassador of the Teach India initiative, Aamir had shared the dais with the high lady in an interactive session at St. Xavier’s College. On the occasion, Aamir aired his views on Indian teaching methods and problems faced by the children here in terms of studies.
He was of the opinion that in the country the report cards matter more than the actual reasoning power. “We should encourage those minds who are thirsty and hungry for knowledge. Children who believe in questioning, searching, disagreeing and not just memorising and cramming should be appreciated,” he stated.
He next spoke about the importance of teaching. Aamir brought out the issue of negligence shown towards the teaching profession. By giving priority to medical and engineering, the profession is left with less or no scope when it comes to choosing a career. He suggested, “Teaching should be a high paying job so that youngsters should aim at becoming teachers. I would like to see that one day in India, teaching is the most highly paid job. We should give so much value to teaching as a profession that every kid that comes out of school and college should feel that he or she wants to be a teacher.”
Lack of proper guidance and poor assumptions towards this profession makes students to neglect such a reputable career. Today, our educational system emphasises more on memorising rather than rational thinking, Aamir went on to add further.
Hillary Clinton was extremely impressed with the high vision of the actor and had completely agreed with him.
We caught up with Aamir Khan on his 44th birthday at his Pali Hill residence. Aamir, who has been on a diet for his forthcoming film 3 Idiots, avoided eating his own birthday cake! When queried he said, “I am surviving on milk and few bananas as I have been asked to lose weight for the role.”
About the war of words ensued between him and Shahrukh Khan, Aamir clarified, "I only wish the best for him. There is no bad blood between me and him."
On having been slotted in the number one position today the actor cum director said, “I have been plain lucky that God has bestowed me with so much success. I just believe in working sincerely and entertaining my audiences. Actually, I like to do things superbly and success follows later. I believe in excellence and giving the best from what I have. There is nothing that can supersede sincerity and hard work. In fact success will knock at your door when you put your heart and soul into it. One should never run after success. Work with sincerity and success will follow.”
Having reached the top Aamir is also considered the most powerful actor in Bollywood today. “Power is something that every person has. It doesn’t matter how much strength or power you have; what matters is how you use it. I recently went to an awards function where real heroes were honoured. These are unknown people from different walks of life. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary and inspirational work. There is a 70 year old woman who sells vegetables but at the same time she is running a medical clinic for free. Just imagine how she does it. They are ordinary people who are not famous or rich but they are contributing to society and helping people. That is amazing and that is true power. I am a rich man with a lot of fame but I am only using it to my own advantage and not helping anyone; so my power is of no use. Power makes sense when you help other people and contribute to society.” Aamir added.
On missing the Oscars for his Taare Zameen Par the actor said, “I feel the international audiences have a different thought process. The movies they cater to also have a different flavour. It is nice that they have liked Slumdog Millionaire the film has allured their perception. It is fine with me because Taare Zameen Par was appreciated by the audiences here as well by the international audience. My award is the love of my audiences. They have liked my film and that’s more than enough for me. Awards are not the ultimate. I wish to do a good and variety of films. I only do the things that make me happy. I think that has worked for me. Because I am happy doing what I do, I do it to the best of my ability. I want to continue walking on this road of happiness and make other people happy through my films and work.”
Finally when asked what keeps him going, Aamir with an impish smile said, “Love. It is that one thing in my life which is keeping me go. Health, care and love are three things, which everyone should crave for. We all know wealth cannot buy health. So, I care for my health. Also I pray to the almighty for the good health of one all. I eat well and my diet is balanced and most importantly I drink a lot of water. I try to be happy.”
Not many are aware that both Aamir and Shahrukh Khan are making an appearance in Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut Luck By Chance starring Zoya's brother Farhan Akhtar in the main lead. But our source who has managed to have a sneak peak of the film has confirmed to us that both the Khans don't share screen space at all and appear at different times individually in the film. The film has the Hindi film industry as the back drop with Farhan playing a struggling Bollywood actor.
Our source further adds that both Aamir and the King Khan play themselves in the film. Their fans have missed the opportunity to see them together this time and it is definitely going to be a long wait for their fans to see them together again what with the two Khans being on an undeclared war against each other passing taunts against each other.
It can be recalled that the only time Aamir and SRK have shared screen space has been for a few minutes in the opening sequence of Ashutosh Gowariker's directorial debut, Pehla Nasha. Even in that film, they played themselves and that film too had the main lead, Deepak Tijori playing a struggling actor. When SRK was shooting the song sequence with 32 actors for his Om Shanti Om he wanted Aamir too to be a part of it but after keeping him waiting for over a month, Aamir finally declined to participate.