The actor, who rarely makes public appearances of this scale, used the platform not only to reflect on his creative journey but also to drop one of the biggest career updates of recent years: his full-fledged return to acting.
The session, moderated by renowned film critic Baradwaj Rangan, was titled The Narrative Architect of Social Transformation and Inclusivity, but quickly evolved into a heartfelt exploration of Aamir’s personal philosophy, instincts, and evolving relationship with cinema.
Aamir began by tracing his artistic foundations to his childhood, shaped by oral storytelling and radio dramas. “I’ve always been drawn to stories. They were a big part of my childhood, and that fascination has guided every choice I’ve made as an actor,” he said.
Throughout the conversation, he emphasised his aversion to playing it safe. “I can’t repeat myself. Once I’ve done a certain kind of film, I want to move on. I look for stories that feel fresh, unique, and creatively exciting,” he shared. He added that his selections are fueled by emotion rather than strategy, “I choose films purely based on my emotional excitement for the story, even if it goes completely against the norm.”
Reflecting on his most iconic films, Aamir recalled how unconventional they once seemed. “Most of my decisions have been impractical by industry standards. When we made Lagaan, even Javed Saab advised us not to. By all logic, I shouldn’t have become a star—I broke every rule. But somehow, those unconventional choices connected with people and I’m deeply grateful,” he said.
He also clarified the misconception that he intentionally chases socially relevant themes. “I never select a film thinking about which social topic to address next. I only look for scripts that excite me. If a great script carries a social message, that’s a bonus, not the starting point,” he noted.
Then came the night’s headline-making moment. Aamir announced a major shift in his professional priorities: “Once I complete the current slate of projects I’ve produced, Lahore 1947, Happy Patel, and a few others, the work on all of them will wrap in the next few months. After that, I’m shifting my focus entirely back to acting from production.” He added, “From here on, any script I hear will be only for me as an actor. It’s a significant shift, but the right time to dedicate myself fully to acting again.”
He confirmed he is already reviewing new scripts. “Several have excited me—two or three in particular—but I’m still in the process of choosing,” he said.
Aamir also admitted that directing remains his long-term love, though one he’s deliberately postponing. “Direction is actually my big love. Filmmaking is what I enjoy the most… But the day I consciously decide to take up direction, I’ll probably stop acting, because it will consume me completely. That’s why I’m delaying that decision for now.”
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