Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has spoken candidly about one of the most difficult periods of his acting career, revealing that there was a time when he would return home from work and cry because he was deeply dissatisfied with the films he was making.
Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival, Aamir recalled that the phenomenal success of "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak" in 1988 made him an overnight star. However, despite the fame, he was unable to work with the filmmakers he had always admired.
He said that after his breakthrough success, several of his films failed at the box office, earning him the label of a "one-film wonder."
According to Aamir, it was common in Bollywood at the time for actors to sign multiple films simultaneously. Following that industry trend, he signed eight to ten projects, many of them directed by newcomers. Looking back, he believes those experiences taught him some of the most valuable lessons of his career.
Aamir explained that he eventually realised a film is fundamentally a director's creative medium. Unless an actor fully trusts the director and shares the same creative vision, the final outcome often differs from what the actor had imagined.
He admitted that the repeated failures took a heavy emotional toll, and he would often return home in tears because he was unhappy with his work. He stressed that he had entered the film industry not merely for fame but to create meaningful cinema.
The actor said those experiences led him to adopt three principles for choosing films: a strong script, complete trust in the director, and a producer who supports the creative vision.
Aamir added that his career took a major turn with the release of "Dil" in 1990, followed by the success of films such as "Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin" and "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar," which established him as one of Bollywood's leading actors.
