Monday, December 15, 2008

Aamir Khan – The Perfectionist


Aamir Khan was born to Aamir Hussain Khan on March 14, 1965. He is an Indian actor, film director and film producer. Khan was part of several commercially successful movies and has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema, delivering a number of highly acclaimed performances.


Appearing as a child actor in his uncle Nasir Hussain's film Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Khan began his professional career eleven years later, with the film, Holi (1984). He received his first commercial success with his cousin Mansoor Khan's film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and won a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for his performance in the film. After eight previous nominations during the 1980s and 1990s, Khan received his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in Raja Hindustani (1996), his biggest commercial success so far.


He later earned his second Best Actor award at the Filmfare ceremony for his performance in the 2001 Academy Award nominated Lagaan. After a four year break from acting, Khan made his comeback with Ketan Mehta's The Rising (2005). In 2007, he made his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par, for which he received a Filmfare Best Director Award. Khan is the founder-owner of Aamir Khan Productions.


Khan began his film career as a child actor in a home production, produced and directed by Nasir Hussain, titled Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973) and Madhosh (1974). Eleven years later, he made his adult acting debut in a role that went quite unnoticed in Ketan Mehta's Holi (1984).
Khan's first notable leading role came in 1988 in the film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak which was directed by his cousin and Nasir Hussain's son Mansoor Khan. This film was a breakthrough commercial success, effectively launching Khan's career as a leading actor. Having the typical 'chocolate hero' looks, he was publicised as a teen idol. After that, he went on to appear in several other films in the late '80s and early '90s: Dil (1990), which became the highest grossing film of the year, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) (for which he also wrote the screenplay), and Rangeela (1995). Most of these films were successful critically and commercially. Other successes include Andaz Apna Apna, co-starring Salman Khan. At the time of its release the movie was reviewed unfavorably by critics, but over the years has gained a cult status.


His 2007 film, Taare Zameen Par (about a teacher who befriends and helps a dyslexic child), which Khan produced and also starred in, marked his directorial debut. The film, which was the second offering from Aamir Khan Productions, opened to excellent responses from critics and audiences alike. His work won him two awards at the Filmfare, the Best Movie and the Best Director awards, and established his status as a competent director and a story-teller. The film was also selected as India's official entry to the 2009 Oscars.


In 2008, Khan launched his nephew Imran Khan's debut in the film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. The film was a major critical and commercial success.

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