A vintage video of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, showing a humble moment from the early days of his career, has resurfaced, giving fans a glimpse of his dedication to promoting his films.
The clip captures a young Aamir, along with his co-star Raj Zutshi, going around the streets of Mumbai, sticking posters of their 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT) on auto-rickshaws.
Although Aamir had appeared in earlier films, QSQT marked his breakout role, catapulting him to stardom alongside actress Juhi Chawla.
In the video, Aamir is seen wearing a blue sleeveless shirt as he stops auto-rickshaws and politely asks the drivers if they could display the film's poster on the back of their vehicles. The actor, already demonstrating his understanding of grassroots-level marketing, is seen explaining the significance of his movie to drivers who were unfamiliar with him.
In a voiceover, Aamir narrates, "I also used to work hard, used to ask my friend to watch the film, and also ask the people I used to meet to watch it""
Adding "Zutshi, me, Mansoor, and his sister Nuzhat, we would all get into our cars, get on the road, stop taxis and autos. We would tell them 'Stick these, our film is coming out soon.' Some would agree, while others wouldn’t. They would ask us, 'Which film is it? Who is in it?' I would tell them, 'I am Aamir Khan.' We worked hard to make sure people knew about our movie."
The simplicity and determination Aamir showed in promoting his film struck a chord with fans, who expressed their admiration for the actor’s early work ethic.
Released in 1988, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, directed by Mansoor Khan, was a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and marked a turning point in Aamir Khan’s career.Despite its budget limitations, the film became a massive commercial success, but Aamir revealed in a 2018 interview that his pay for the movie was only Rs 11,000.
"Even after QSQT became a hit, I didn’t have enough money to buy a car. I had to take public transport until people started recognizing me and mobbing me," Aamir said.
Juhi Chawla, who co-starred with Aamir, had once recalled how she first met him when he was helping her prepare for her audition for QSQT, unaware that he was the leading actor.
The duo went on to star in several successful films together, including Ishq and Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, creating a lasting legacy in Bollywood.
This heartwarming video is a testament to Aamir Khan’s relentless passion and early struggles in an industry where he eventually became one of the biggest superstars.
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