Aamir Khan Says He'll Quit Acting If He Directs Again: 'Filmmaking Is Too Absorbing'
Last Updated:
Aamir Khan reveals why he hasn't directed a film since Taare Zameen Par, stating that he finds direction so immersive that he would have to quit acting to pursue it.
Aamir Khan isn't just one of Bollywood's most celebrated actors—he's also a filmmaker with a rare vision, someone who doesn't shy away from bringing unexplored and emotionally resonant subjects to the big screen. While he's currently enjoying the buzz around his latest release, Sitaare Zameen Par, the actor recently opened up in an interview with Pinkvilla about why he hasn't taken the director's seat since Taare Zameen Par (2007), his only directorial venture to date.
When asked what's kept him from returning to direction, Aamir admitted, 'The reason that I have not directed a film since Taare Zameen Par is because I love acting a lot." But it goes deeper than just love for acting—Aamir explained that he feels direction is such an all-consuming process that it would push him to quit acting entirely.
'Mai uss type ka aadmi hun ki agar main bore ho raha hun toh main kaam nahi kar paata (I'm that type of person that if I get bored, I cannot work)," he added, elaborating on how deeply he needs to feel connected to his craft—be it in front of the camera or behind it.
Reflecting on his unplanned directorial debut, Aamir revealed, 'I had no intention of directing Taare Zameen Par, but a crisis led me to do the same." He also clarified that when he eventually does return to directing, it will be a full-time commitment, saying, 'Whenever I direct my next film, I won't act in it."
Addressing Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir clarified that the film was not directed by him. 'Sitaare Zameen Par was Prasanna's choice and at all times, he was always a director," he said, referring to filmmaker RS Prasanna.
The film, which released in theatres on June 20, stars Aamir Khan as basketball coach Gulshan, who trains a group of specially-abled children for a championship. Genelia Deshmukh plays his wife in the heartfelt family drama. The film is considered a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par, revisiting themes of empathy, inclusivity, and the transformative power of mentorship.
With Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir once again proves his penchant for socially impactful stories. But for fans eager to see him direct again, the wait continues—though, as he hints, it might just be worth it when it happens.
First Published:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
27 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
EXCLUSIVE: "It's very difficult for a mass audience to go to theatres unless...", Aamir Khan opens up about high movie ticket prices
Aamir Khan, also known as Mr. Perfectionist, is loved for his meaningful films and thoughtful insights. In a recent Pinkvilla interview with Himesh Mankad, following the release of his much awaited movie Sitaare Zameen Par, he shared his views on how cinema has become less affordable for many, making it harder for everyone to enjoy movies in theaters. Aamir Khan Talks About How The Consumption Of Cinema Has Changed Reflecting on his early days, Aamir Khan noted how cinema has changed. 'I think our cinema and even cinema viewing and exhibition has changed since I came. When I came, there were only single screens, and there were four shows a day. Then, multiplexes started coming up. Today, there are more multiplexes and less single screens, so most of our viewing happens in multiplexes,' he said. Back then, single-screen theaters were affordable, letting everyone enjoy movies. But now, multiplexes, often in big city malls like Mumbai or Delhi, have high costs. 'The rent of theatres is so high and the infrastructure that is built in multiplexes, obviously the ticket price goes up again,' Khan explained. This makes tickets too expensive for many. Watch the full Pinkvilla Masterclass featuring Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Shares That Cinema Is No Longer A Mass Medium That It Used To Be Aamir Khan pointed out that cinema used to be for everyone. 'This medium was called a mass medium at one time, and there was a reason why it was a mass medium. It's because the masses could actually afford to watch the movie. I feel today it is very difficult for the mass audience to watch a film in theatres unless you go to single screens,' he said. High prices have made it tough for regular people to enjoy movies, especially now since single screens are rare. 'I am not criticizing that. I am not passing judgement on that. But I am saying that there has been a big difference,' he clarified. Aamir Khan Shares Solutions To Tackle The Problem Of Affordability When asked about solutions, the Ghajini actor suggested building affordable theatres. 'I feel I am a creative person. I miss that you know; when we see there are 90,000 screens in China and 35,000 screens in the USA. India is such a big country and our population is so big. Why we cannot provide service to every area? If I could do it through cinemas, then I feel that low-cost cinemas coming out in districts that don't have a single theatre will make a big difference to the movie business,' he said. Aamir Khan Shares His Stance On Starting His Own Theatre Chain But when asked if he'd start his own theater chain, he was clear: 'I don't want to get into the business of cinemas because then I will not be able to divide my time. I like to stay on the creative side, but it is definitely something I am encouraging. There are a number of people who are in the business of cinema, so I am helping them, encouraging them.' The full interview, packed with Aamir Khan's thoughts on cinema, is on Pinkvilla's YouTube channel. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates on Aamir Khan.
India.com
34 minutes ago
- India.com
Aamir Khan Hosts Special Screening Of Sitaare Zameen Par For UN Delegates
New Delhi: As Sitaare Zameen Par continues to make waves worldwide, Aamir Khan hosted a special screening of the film for United Nations representatives and foreign diplomats in the national capital, celebrating the film's growing global recognition. The screening, held in Delhi, was attended by several high-profile guests, including Kristina Ananina (First Secretary of the Russian Embassy), Austrian Ambassador Katharina Wieser, Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor, and PVR INOX founder Ajay Bijli. Aamir Khan, known for his humility and minimalist style, warmly welcomed the dignitaries, engaging in conversations and posing for photographs. The event was a testament to the film's powerful message and universal appeal. Billed as a spiritual successor to the 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par, Sitaare Zameen Par has struck a deep emotional chord with audiences, drawing praise for its uplifting narrative and heartwarming performances. The team shared glimpses of the screening on social media, writing, "Honoured and delighted to showcase our film #SitaareZameenPar to Dr. Shashi Tharoor and esteemed delegates. @shashitharoor" Take a Look: Directed by R.S. Prasanna, best known for the acclaimed Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, the film features Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh in lead roles, alongside ten promising young actors: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar. With music composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, Sitaare Zameen Par is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, with Ravi Bhagchandka also serving as producer. The screenplay is penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma. Sitaare Zameen Par Box Office On Day 6 (Wednesday), Sitaare Zameen Par earned Rs 7.51 crore (all-India net), an impressive figure for a midweek release. With consistently strong numbers since its debut, the film's total box office collection has reached Rs 82.01 crore. Its steady momentum highlights the growing connection with audiences, and the upcoming weekend is expected to drive collections even higher. More than just a commercial success, Sitaare Zameen Par is a heartfelt story that continues to resonate with millions. The film was released in theatres on June 20, 2025, and continues to receive critical acclaim for its emotional depth and global storytelling.
India.com
34 minutes ago
- India.com
‘Raju Loves Drama With Comedy': Aamir Khan Opens Up On Teaming With Rajkumar Hirani For Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic
New Delhi: After the success of Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has opened up about his upcoming collaboration with director Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic on the legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke. Following the historic success of 3 Idiots and PK, this marks the third collaboration between Aamir and Hirani. Both previous films were widely praised for their clever humor, emotional storytelling, and strong narratives hallmarks of the Aamir-Hirani combo. In a recent interview, when asked whether humor would also be a part of the Phalke biopic, Aamir said: 'I think Raju and Abhijat [Joshi, writer] have a special leaning towards comedy — and so do I. All three of us really like humour, and I think that's the genre Raju enjoys most: drama with humour. So this will probably fall into the same space.' Filming for the project is expected to begin in October 2025. Aamir Khan will start preparations soon after the release of Sitaare Zameen Par. To authentically capture the era in which the story is set, VFX studios based in Los Angeles have developed AI-driven visual references. The script — in development for over four years — has been written by Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, Hindukush Bharadwaj, and Avishkar Bharadwaj.
