The shooting for his next film Ghajini, an action thriller being directed by Murgadoss is near completion; Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, a frothy, youthful, romantic film starring nephew Imran and Genelia D’Souza under his banner is ready for release; and then there is Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots for which he starts shooting from November 1. There’s also a film based on Guru Dutt’s life that is under consideration — Anurag Kashyap is working on the script and Khan, though interested, will only green-light it after the script is completed.
The focus at present, however, is on nephew Imran’s debut. Khan maintains that Imran had signed the project of his own volition with Abbas Tyrewala directing and Jhamu Sughand producing it. “Halfway through the film Abbas told me that Jhamu is not making the film and I took it up from there. I saw Imran’s test and those of other actors and I felt that they fit their parts so it wasn’t an emotional decision. I love Imran but if he wasn’t right for the role, he would not be in it. I am responsible to my audience too,” said Khan.
His statement is borne out by Tyrewala who says, “The story of Jaane... was not written with Imran Khan in mind, so the introduction scene and his look were not as spectacular as it could have been, since he is a star relative. But Aamir Khan insisted that the screenplay and Imran’s role be retained as I had conceived it; that’s the kind of person he is.”
When quizzed about his 15-year-old son Junaid making a foray in films, Khan says, “At this point he’s interested in law but if he ever wants to be in films, he has the benefit of my experience.”
Jaane... is significant in that it marks the next step in his journey — producing films he isn’t acting in. Life seems to have come full circle for the actor who, when he set out in his career as an actor, was advised against it by his well-meaning family.
After two successful productions like Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par, a third ready for release apart from Delhi Belly and a yet untitled film by Delhi-based newbie director Anusha, the actor, in continuation with his standard professional practice, is looking to establish Aamir Khan Productions’ reputation as a production house known for high-quality films. Both are co-productions with UTV that has handled international projects. “What I look for is the ability to lead, to look at a project in its entirety. Also, whether the director is hungry to make a good film, and whether we are on the same page,” says Khan. “I don’t care what you have done in the past. I have worked with Ashutosh Gowarikar; his films had not done well but he is very talented.”
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