Vaaz Ka Raaz: When I first met Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan!

“One day I’ll become a very big director” – Aamir Khan…. 

The year was 1988 and the rest is history!

It has been 30 years since “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” released. I would like to share an experience. As I reflect, I remember a time when there were no mobiles, or quick ways of communication. Wherever we went, we had to go personally, often without giving any prior notice. I often went to various film studios and offices. I used to work for a famous trade magazine called “Trade Guide”, and had my own column called “Pulse of the trade”. So I would often meet various directors, producers and actors. Today I would like to share my first meeting with the actor who is currently known as Mr. Perfectionist.

It was 1988. I, along with my assistant Irfan Sheikh, went to meet Naseer Hussain, the producer of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. His office was right opposite Mehboob Studios. When I met him, he asked me why I’m only writing about him. He told me that I should write about the star of the film instead. When I asked him who the star is, he told me “My nephew… Aamir Khan.”. I agreed, although Irfan (My assistant) was hesitant and felt that it was a waste of time. None the less, I met Aamir Khan alone.

The first thing I asked a much younger Aamir Khan, was “What is your ambition?”. He told me “By fluke I’ve become a hero. All the credit goes to my uncle and my cousin Mansoor Khan. But my ambition is to become a very big director. For that I was assisting my father and my uncle. One day I’ll become a very big director.”

Ever since that day, we have seen Aamir Khan grow as an actor par excellence, who clearly understands story telling, considering the value that he places on the scripts that he chooses. As for his ambition of being a director, we have seen him give us something special in the form of “Taare Zameen Par”. Perhaps in the future we shall see him grow further than he already has! The photo above is of Johnny Vaz, with Aamir Khan, on the sets of “Afsana Pyar Ka”.

Stay tuned for my next column of “Vaaz Ka Raaz” this time with Mr. Shahenshah!

Every week, a new secret!