Aamir Khan broke down onstage at the Singapore International Film Festival while accepting the Screen Icon Award. The actor recalled realizing during the COVID-19 lockdown that 30 years of work cost him years with his family.
"When I was sitting in COVID and I was thinking, I said, you know, about 30 years have passed of my life. And it’s okay to work like a madman, completely obsessed with what you’re doing for one year, two years, five years. But if it goes on for 30 years, I mean, you’ve lost your relationships. Your kids have grown up, they’re adults now. So I felt a deep sense of loss," Khan said. Khan expressed relief that the realization came at age 56 rather than at 86, when it would be too late to take action.
For the last 4 years, the actor has deliberately carved out time for his close friends and family. He recently shut his phone a few weeks ago and is now off all apps.
At that time, mentally and emotionally, I felt like I’m in quicksand. I’m sinking slowly, and the more I’m struggling to get out, the deeper I’m going," Khan said. The actor noted that filmmaking is a collective art form where many people contribute to each other's work.
Khan admitted that his popularity in China is thanks to piracy. He holds 50 to 60 test screenings of 25 people each for his films, noting that the first test screening of Taare Zameen Par was a disaster.
For smaller films with budgets unable to absorb his fee, Khan skips his usual payment and takes a back end instead. "My common sense is telling me that in the short term, for sure, people are going to lose jobs," Khan said.
The festival will host a 25th anniversary screening of Lagaan on Friday. Rajkumar Hirani gave his blessing for a sequel to 3 Idiots.
