logo
Aamir Khan To Those Who Question His Patriotism: "My Film Sarfarosh Was The First To Take Pakistan's Name Directly"

Aamir Khan To Those Who Question His Patriotism: "My Film Sarfarosh Was The First To Take Pakistan's Name Directly"

NDTV17-06-2025
New Delhi:
Aamir Khan came under public scrutiny when he reacted to the Pahalgam terror attack (April 22) almost a week after the incident. Aamir Khan's official statement came just 12 hours before the trailer of his film Sitaare Zameen Par released. Ahead of the film's release, Aamir Khan defended his patriotism during an interaction with Rajat Sharma on his show Aap Ki Adalat. During the chat, Aamir Khan revealed his 1999 release Sarfarosh was the first film in the Indian film history where Pakistan and ISI's names were uttered without using any substitutes.
What's Happening
Aamir Khan's patriotism was questioned as he didn't speak about the Pahalgam terror attack just after the incident happened.
Defending his patriotism, Aamir Khan shared an anecdote from his film Sarfarosh during an interview with Rajat Sharma.
Aamir Khan emphasized that Sarfarosh scripted history as the first Indian film where Pakistan and ISI's names were uttered clearly, without using any other names.
"If you pick India's film history, we have never been allowed to take their name, we had to use the term 'padosi mulk (neighbouring country)'. My film Sarfarosh was the first one ever in history, in which we have taken Pakistan and ISI's names without hesitation. John [Mathew Matthan, Director] said that the Censor Board won't pass this. I said, 'Why won't they? We will explain it to them'. When Advaniji can call their name in the Parliament publicly that they are doing wrong to us and spreading terrorism, then why can't we?," Aamir Khan recalled on Rajat Sharma's show.
"We got permission to use the names on that basis. So many films released after that were using Pakistan's name. People say that I don't say anything against them, but sabse bada naam toh unka maine hi liya hai, aur kisi ne nahi. After Sarfarosh, I got many negative comments from Pakistan for attacking them in the film," he added.
🚨 MASSIVE REVELATION by Aamir Khan!
Before 1998, Censor Board banned naming Pakistan as a terror sponsor in films — filmmakers were forced to say "Padosi Mulk"! 😱
🇮🇳 1999's Sarfarosh was the FIRST to break the silence — under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee! pic.twitter.com/KJMMHcgylr
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) June 16, 2025
Aamir On His Late Response To Pahalgam Terror Attack
During the same interview, Aamir Khan defended that the Sitaare Zameen Par trailer releasing just 12 hours after his official statement was a mere coincidence.
"The trailer was supposed to release much earlier. I cancelled it because of the attack on our nation. I cancelled the premiere of Andaz Apna Apna that day," explained Aamir. His 1994 cult Rajkumar Santoshi's Andaz Apna Apna was re-released in cinemas on April 25.
Aamir also defended Islam by saying that it doesn't endorse violence. "No religion asks you to kill people. I don't consider these terrorists Muslims because it's written in Islam that you can't kill any innocent human, can't strike a woman or a child. They're going against the religion by doing what they are doing," said Aamir.
In A Nutshell
Aamir Khan defended his patriotism on Rajat Sharma's show and claimed Sarfarosh was the first Indian film where Pakistan and ISI's names were uttered directly.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India's first Dolby Cinema opens in Pune with Jurassic World Rebirth
India's first Dolby Cinema opens in Pune with Jurassic World Rebirth

Indian Express

time17 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

India's first Dolby Cinema opens in Pune with Jurassic World Rebirth

Good news for cinema lovers. Immersive entertainment company Dolby has launched India's first Dolby Cinema on Wednesday, July 3, in Pune. The first Dolby Cinema has been introduced at City Pride Multiplex, Kharadi. The world leader in immersive entertainment has plans to open five more Dolby Cinemas in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Trichy, Ullikal, and Kochi. '…We have thoughtfully designed the entire cinema down to the last detail. From reservable, spacious seating with clear sightlines – no matter where you sit – to soft interior lighting and premium details throughout, for an unparalleled movie experience. As we continue to collaborate with leading filmmakers, studios, and exhibitors, we look forward to launching more theatres that will unlock world-class movie experiences for Indian audiences,' said Michael Archer, vice president of worldwide cinema sales and partner management at Dolby Laboratories. The cinema hall in Pune is set to have a 310-person capacity split into fourteen rows of seats. Viewers will be able to experience the combined richness of the visual quality of Dolby Vision and the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos. It will also be the only cinema hall equipped with a Dolby Vision dual 4K laser projection system till now. This system offers enhanced visuals and vivid details. The interior has been designed to complement the unique audiovisual experience. Seating arrangements offer a premium experience with an unhindered line of sight. It also offers dynamic lighting and a curved wall-to-wall-to-ceiling screen. The cinema combines these aspects with a room designed to reduce distractions, giving the viewer complete immersion into the story. 'We're proud to expand our collaboration with Dolby from Dolby Atmos screens to the launch of India's first Dolby Cinema at City Pride Kharadi. Pune's passion for premium entertainment makes it the ideal home for this experience. This launch reflects our continued commitment to bringing cutting-edge cinema to our audiences,' Pushkaraj Chaphalkar, Dolby's partner at City Pride Multiplexes, said in a statement. With the launch of the Dolby Cinema in Pune, City Pride Kharadi joins the global network of Dolby Cinemas, along with those in London, Tokyo, and New York. The Dolby Cinema at City Pride will commence with the screening of Jurassic World Rebirth at 10:45 am, on July 4. The cinema is set to offer four seating options, which are 3D Vision Classic (front six rows), 3D Vision XL (seventh and thirteenth rows), 3D Vision Prime (eighth to twelfth rows), and 3D Vision Sofa (fourteenth row – furthest from the screen). The cinema has already released tickets on BookMyShow for shows until July 6. (This article has been curated by Purv Ashar, who is an intern with The Indian Express)

Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Awaits Final Vote: How It Will Impact Indians
Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Awaits Final Vote: How It Will Impact Indians

NDTV

time18 minutes ago

  • NDTV

Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Awaits Final Vote: How It Will Impact Indians

Washington: US President Donald Trump's signature tax-and-spending legislation-- " One Big, Beautiful Bill"-- is lined up for final vote over the coming hours in the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the American Congress. The mega bill, which could define Trump's second term in the White House, has faced an uneasy passage so far. Several members of Trump's own Republican Party have sided with opposition Democrats to criticise the bill for a number of reasons, including the impact on US national debt and healthcare. Trump's sprawling legislation-- which is expected to slash social welfare programs and add an eye-watering $3 trillion to the national debt--was originally approved by the House in May. But it returned to the lower chamber for a rubber stamp after squeezing through the Senate on Tuesday by a solitary vote following several revisions. How The New Version Of The Bill Benefits India Among the revisions in the proposed legislation was a significant dilution of the provision on tax remittances to other countries, including India. In a massive relief for thousands of non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian professionals working in the US, who send money back home, the updated draft of the bill released on June 27 showed that the tax rate on remittances was slashed to 1 per cent, down from the 5 per cent proposed originally. The tax rate was brought down to 3.5 per cent in the House version of the bill earlier. The rule will apply to all US residents who aren't US citizens-including Green Card holders, people on temporary visas such as H-1B or H-2A and foreign students. The reduction in tax on all international money transfers will benefit nearly 45 lakh Indians living in the US, including nearly 32 lakh persons of Indian Origin. It will apply to all remittances made via cash, money orders, or cashier's checks. "There is hereby imposed on any remittance transfer a tax equal to 1 per cent of the amount of such tax imposed by this section with respect to any remittance transfer shall be paid by the sender with respect to such transfer," the updated draft of the bill states. The new draft also said that the bill will exempt remittances made from "an account held in or by a financial institution" and those "funded with a debit card or a credit card issued in the United States".

Meet Bollywood's ‘shortest-lived' superstar for who producers fought, once bought jeans for Salman Khan, now forgotten
Meet Bollywood's ‘shortest-lived' superstar for who producers fought, once bought jeans for Salman Khan, now forgotten

Mint

time18 minutes ago

  • Mint

Meet Bollywood's ‘shortest-lived' superstar for who producers fought, once bought jeans for Salman Khan, now forgotten

It is often said that Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan are the last true-blue superstars of Bollywood. While debates continue over who among the newer generation deserves that title, names like Yash, Prabhas, Nagarjuna, and Mammootty from South Indian cinema are widely regarded as pan-India superstars today. Long before them, alongside Rajesh Khanna—the first superstar of Indian cinema—there was another actor in the 1980s who shot to fame overnight with a blockbuster debut. However, his stardom was short-lived, as he failed to recreate the same magic in his subsequent films, earning him the tag of Bollywood's 'shortest-lived' superstar. We are talking about actor Kumar Gaurav. Born as Manoj Tuli in Lucknow, Kumar Gaurav is the son of legendary actor Rajendra Kumar and belongs to Bollywood's Behl family. Director Ramesh Behl and Shyam Behl are his uncles, and his cousins include Ravi Behl, Geeta Behl, and Goldie Behl (married to actress Sonali Bendre). Kumar Gaurav made a much-hyped Bollywood debut with Love Story in 1981, co-starring Vijayta Pandit. The film was a massive success and turned him into an overnight sensation. Not just the film, but even its songs—especially the iconic Yaad Aa Rahi Hai—remain etched in the hearts of fans even today. Following the success of Love Story, expectations soared for Kumar Gaurav's next film. He reunited with the same successful trio—composer RD Burman, singer Amit Kumar, and himself—for Teri Kasam, which many felt featured even better music than Love Story. However, despite all the anticipation, the film flopped. Reflecting on their unsuccessful collaboration, Amit Kumar told journalist Subhash K. Jha, 'People hoped Kumar Gaurav and I would become a team like Rajesh Khanna and my father (Kishore Kumar). But that wasn't meant to be.' Vijayta Pandit also recalled the frenzy around Gaurav during Love Story, saying, 'I've never seen such hysteria for any actor. He was mobbed wherever we went. Not since Rajesh Khanna had Bollywood seen such madness.' After Love Story, producers lined up to cast Gaurav. Scripts poured in, and a superstar was born. Fifteen months later came Teri Kasam. But when it failed at the box office, it rattled both Gaurav and his father. 'The adulation was overwhelming,' Gaurav once said, as quoted by Times Now. 'I couldn't leave home without being swarmed by fans. We truly believed audiences would embrace Teri Kasam just as they did Love Story.' Sadly, they didn't. In an effort to revive his son's career, Rajendra Kumar produced several films, including Star (featuring the hit duo Nazia and Zoheb Hassan), followed by Lovers, Romance, Hum Hain Laajawab, and All Rounder. Unfortunately, none of them succeeded. In 1986, Mahesh Bhatt's Naam, produced by Rajendra Kumar, gave Gaurav a meaningful role. But it was Sanjay Dutt who walked away with all the praise. In a final attempt, Rajendra brought together his family and friend Sunil Dutt for Phool (1993), but that too couldn't revive Gaurav's stardom. His decline was steady, and after his final film Kaante (2002), Kumar Gaurav quietly stepped away from the industry. Now 68, he lives a life far removed from showbiz. In an interview with Subhash K. Jha, he shared, 'I regret nothing. Stardom was a blessing and I'm thankful for it. But I enjoy my peace now.' Kumar Gaurav's fame extended beyond the screen. Known for his generosity, Salman Khan once recalled on Koffee with Karan how Gaurav supported him during his struggling days. He said Gaurav gave him his new jeans when he had very few clothes. Gaurav was also a heartthrob among women. Following the success of Love Story, he reportedly dated his co-star Vijayta Pandit. Although they were serious, their relationship ended after Rajendra Kumar allegedly disapproved of Vijayta. He was later briefly engaged to Raj Kapoor's daughter, Rima Kapoor. The engagement was eventually called off for reasons unknown. While some believe it was because he had fallen in love, others link it to the dating rumours surrounding him at the time. He later married Namrata Dutt, daughter of Sunil Dutt and Nargis, and sister to actor Sanjay Dutt.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store