Reign Man

Celebrating His Silver Jubilee in the Industry as Also His 52 Nd Birthday This Year... Aamir Khan Is the Virtual Ace in the Pack. Anuradha Choudhary Gets a Blockbuster Interview With the Box-office Midas.

- Anuradha Choudhary

The years melt away as I cross over to greet him. His smile has the same warmth, his demeanour welcoming and his manners always impeccable. For a moment it seems like old times again. However there’s too much troubled history between Filmfare and Aamir Khan. No point going in there now. Suffice to say that we’re on talking terms once again. After 11 long years. We’re shooting at a five star in the ‘burbs for the cover. And nothing seems to have changed about Aamir Khan, arguably the biggest superstar of the country. He will do as you tell him to; stand as you want him to. His staff will still not charge you. No arguments there. Let it be said, it’s the most hassle free shoot I’ve done so far. At Filmfare, we’re convinced he’s an alien. Rajkumar Hirani would agree. Because he goes where no man has gone before. It’s a Herculean task for a mere mortal to come up with such box- office figures time and again. Dangal has touched the 390 crore mark already. Expect it to be in the 400 crore club soon. Any other actor would crow about the fact that till he turned hoarse. Not Aamir. He stumps you by saying money doesn’t excite him. Don’t know any human who’d say that. It’s the audience reaction he cares about. What he cares about is the fact that theatre owners should earn off him. Hmmm.