Aamir Khan talks to the media about Imran Khan. Excerpts from Mid-day Launching your nephew Imran Khan is quite an emotional gesture.
(Smiles) I don't think I am launching Imran. At least it didn't start that way. But yes, there is certainly an emotional connect. I actually trained under chachajaan for four years as an assistant. Then he produced Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, my launch film. Now, 20 years later, Imran is acting and I am producing the film. So it has kind of come a full circle. Chachajaan would have been very happy today had he been alive. Which is why I have dedicated the film to him.
That sounds like an emotional person speaking.
I guess I am. I was very close to chachajaan since we lived close along with my dad and him. Chachajaan was next door, so I have spent half my life at chachajaan's house. He was wonderful human being, extremely talented, and loving with a great sense of humour. He used to keep us in splits.
And so you returned the favour with Jaane Tuâ Ya Jaane Na when Abbas Tyrewala approached you with the project.
Ya, originally Jhamu (Sughand) was producing it. That's why I was saying that this film didn't originate with the thought that we should launch Imran. My nephew found his own way. Jhamu had some financial trouble so he couldn't make the film. When the project came to me, I liked the script. I spent some time with Abbas, I was comfortable with the thought that he was the director. Then I saw the casting tapes. I needed to see whether Imran suited the part.
Then you took up the project.
Yes, I did. But I wasn't looking at it emotionally when I was deciding. The decision was based on whether this was, indeed, the film that I would want to produce under my banner? Is this the director I trust? Is Imran appropriate for the part?
And he was?
If he wasn't he shouldn't be in the film. (Smiles) I'm particular about what I put my name to. I had to satisfy myself that this is the film I wanted to produce, independent of the fact whether Imran is in it or not. Now that he is a part of the film, I would like to help as much to promote him. Then it's up to him how he takes it forward because each one of us has to find our own way and create our own relationship with the audience.
So it was the professional Aamir and not the emotional one in act.
When I was producing the film?
Yes.
Yes, it was. I'm always there for him. But I think professionally, I can't be dishonest to myself or to my audience. Only if the person deserves to be in the film, then he will be. As an emotional person, I will do whatever I can for that person in every which way. For example, Ashu is a friend of mine but I didn't produce Lagaan because he is a friend; I produced it because I liked the script. I wasn't doing him a favour.
Okay, so how did you manage to get your cousin Mansoor Khan back from oblivion?
(Laughs) Some smooth emotional blackmail. Mansoor has moved away from filmmaking. When I took over Jaane Tu as a producer I clearly didn't have the time to shoulder my responsibility. I had to get someone who could, and Mansoor is someone I trust completely. The tough task was convincing him. As it turned out, it wasn't so tough. (Laughs) Mansoor responded spontaneously. He said, 'Okay I will come over and help'. That was nice of him.
Does that mean that you now have your own camp of the Khan clan?
(Laughs) No, no. It's not that. Mansoor is least interested in films. In fact, he has gone back already. So there is certainly no clique forming here.
You were to do a cameo in the film.
Abbas was keen, so was I. But I didn't have the time. I was directing Taare Zameen Par.
It's not because your presence would have taken the charm from your nephew?
No.. no.. if I can take away the charm from Imran by playing a cameo than he probably doesn't have it in him. That was not the fear at all. I think Imran is extremely talented and has great potential.
There were talks about the professional Aamir taking charge of the editing while Abbas couldn't sit at the table.
Untrueâ there is no truth to this at all.
But you do go at a project with single-minded dedication
Ya, I am that way but that doesn't mean that I interfere in areas that aren't my responsibility. As a producer it is my responsibility to ensure that the film comes out well and it also means that I should have sat with Abbas for the editing. But as it turned out, I didn't need to. Abbas has done a good job of directing the film.
No inputs from you at all?
Well, when Abbas did the first cut, we discussed the pros and cons of the film. He went back to the editing table to correct whatever he needed to. That's a normal processâ And usually I do sit in on the edit because my directors invite me to. They have faith in my creative instinct. Like in Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, even Fanaa. But that doesn't mean they don't know their job. It's because they have a healthy respect for me. In fact, for Jaane Tu I haven't sat on the edit. (Laughs).
Okay, some time ago, at a public appearance you wore a T-shirt which said July 4th.
Did I?
You did.
Actually I have no idea what's written on most of the T-shirts I wear. So I am unaware that July 4th was written on it. I don't hardsell my films. People should decide whether they should see the film or not. It's my responsibility as a producer to inform people about the film, and when it's releasing through publicity and interviews like this. But I don't tell them you must come and see my film. That's not my style.
Is the decision to pitch Imran against another newcomer on the 4th of July a conscious one?
When a film is good, it doesn't matter which film it's coming with. And when a film is not good, it doesn't matter which film it's coming out with. Our marketing team felt this was the right date to release the movie. In fact, at this time of the year, with so many films coming out, I don't think any film can come out in an open week. There have been so many examples of films coming out together and doing well Gadar and Lagaan and, as recently, TZP and Welcome. So this is not a fear I have.
If you are talking about Harry Baweja, then well, he is a friend and I have only the best wishes for him and his son Harman. I have seen the promos and they look good. I find Harman extremely confident and he dances well. It seems like he has a bright future. So I don't think there is any need for them to worry or for us to worry.
But Harry Baweja called you?
He did... he did call up. And I did try it took me a week to change the date.
So you did consider changing the date?
I did. Obviously what he was saying made sense. Ideally the films should not release on the same day. I tried to see if Jaane Tu could come on some other day but I realised the dates weren't working for us. So it took me a week to let him know that 'Harry it's not possible for us to shift the date'. (Pauses) And if it really disturbs someone than they can also shift, you know. It's a free country. They can decide what they want to do. (Adding quickly) I am not asking them to shift.
On AR Rahman getting royalty for Jaane Tu.. (interrupts)
As far as my understanding with AR or the other people I work with goes, I don't discuss their remuneration publicly. That's not right.
It's not about remunerations. It's about a music composer getting royalties for a film for the first time in the industry.
You are assuming we are giving him royalties.
You are saying you are not?
No, I am not saying I am not. I am saying I don't discuss what transactions have happened with my colleagues. It's not ethical.
But you did write on Shah Rukh on your blog? Was that ethical?
Shah Rukh and I have a relationship above all this. In fact I am happy that we share a relationship where he feels okay about cracking a joke on me on a public platform. He knows I won't get upset. In fact, I would probably laugh about it and vise versa. Both of us have that kind of a relationship. We can enjoy the fact that we are comfortable with each other and won't get hurt. I have spoken to him and he is not at all upset with what I have said, just like I haven't been upset about what he has said in the past.
That means you have a sense of humour.
I would like to think I am a funny guy. I don't know what others think. When people have the ability to laugh at themselves or even during tough situation even when you are in trouble, that's a great quality to have.
Just like your perfectionist quality.
That I actually learnt from a college I went to... (Laughs)
Tell us the name
(Laughs again) You know I think too much is made about me being a perfectionist. I just try and do good work. Nothing can be perfect in life. I just try to make it somewhat perfect.
Okay, so tell us why are you doing a remake film Gajini?
Because I liked the original so I felt like doing it.
Will it be frame to frame similar?
It's 90 per cent as per the original except those parts were the director (AR Murugadoss) felt that he wanted to improve certain things. Since he is getting a second chance he wanted to make some changes in the script. Around 80 to 90 per cent is original. About 10-15 per cent script is changed.
The hairstyle isn't
Well, this hairstyle I absolutely take no credit for. As you know this film was made in Tamil. Surya was acting in it and this is the hairstyle he has in the film. So, I would say Murugadoss and Surya have designed this look for the original. I am using the same look. Even the scar and all that is there in the original. This is one film that I can't take any credit for.
How about doing a cop role, like ACP Rathore in Sarfarosh?
I would love to. I haven't come across a script where I am playing a cop. Sarfarosh was a very good film. In fact, I suggested to John Mathew Matthan that he should write a sequel to it. I hope he does that.
Seriously suggested?
(Smiles) Seriously suggested. It depends on how the script turns out and all that. But Sarfarosh is a film that can have a sequel.
You give chances to first time directors. How do you quality control?
By selecting people who are dynamic.
Not those who get intimidated by you?
(Laughs) No, certainly not. If I intimidate them, then they are not worth their weight. Abhinay Deo, who is one of the foremost talented persons in the country, is directing Delhi Belly and I have seen some of his works. It's stunningly good.
He loves the script and he has complete control of the project. He is taking all big decisions at the time.
What's happening to Kiran's script.
She has written a script that I love actually. She will be directing and producing it as well. The way she is going about it, I think she will make a lovely filmmaker. (Smiles)
About a news report that said you haven't invited your brother Faizal for the premiere of Jaane Tu, anything you would like to say?
(Sternly) I would say it's none of your concern.
Why don't you want to speak about it?
(Softens up) Some things are close to my heart and I don't discuss them on a public platform. It doesn't concern anyone; it concerns me. I have too much regard in my heart for people who are close to me. And I value them. I find it tough to talk about them publicly. That's the best way I can put it.
Even when it comes to clearing your name?
Ya, even when it comes to that. People can make up their own mind.
