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Aamir Khan, the hassled producer
Made Popular Jun 21 2008
After Taare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan certainly looks more relaxed, though he’s still smoking. For those who came in late, the actor had then admitted that he was smoking as he was feeling all stressed out. The shooting for his next film Ghajini, an...
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Sharmila Chakravorty
sweety-pie-rims.blog..
Jun 21 2008
Bombay,
India
Grrr...i don’t like this guy!!!
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HemRaj Singh
hemrajsingh.wordpres..
Jun 21 2008
New Delhi,
India
That’s a very genuine, heartfelt comment. I guess, Aamir has come to deserve it squarely. What you sow, so shall you reap. Reap, reap, Aamir...there is a lot for you here around.
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May be a creative genius as far as acting and ideas go, but seems to have serious attitude problems!
Seriously...major attitude problems! what is he so damn proud about???? :-P I don’t like him!
There’s no doubt abt his prowess as far as his presence on silver screen is concerned, but he is showing some serious symptoms of indigestion owing to his success. Even SRK is also, to some extent, not an exception, however he manages to come out of these sort of hassles.
C’mon everyone, he is the only star in bollywood who tries something different and saves us from the lack intellectuality of other crappy stars. And what’s the big deal about smoking?
Although I’m still not sure why did he choose to remake Ghajini which was a crappy rip off of Nolan’s classic Memento!
Although I’m still not sure why did he choose to remake Ghajini which was a crappy rip off of Nolan’s classic Memento!
While Aamir’s acting skills have never been doubted, he has come under fire on account his personal conduct. At a subconscious level, some of the adverse criticism might also be arising from the fact that he left his wife for another woman. No matter what the circumstances, such behaviour is not tolerated by us Indians.
Well that might be the view of a conservative society. I personally think it was a mutually agreed divorce. He didn’t do anything criminal. So for me there is nothing deplorable. You better part ways if you can’t get along!
Well, then what is tolerated by Indians? I guess we have really mastered ourselves to tolerate the intolerable! And, I really like Aamir, so issues or no issues am his fan. And yes, am not unrealistic. He has shortcomings but I admire him inspite of that. :D
”to tolerate the intolerable”
That’s a good expression. We have learnt to tolerate pathetic films as well as corrupt politicians. But can’t stand someone who can takes independent decisions!
That’s a good expression. We have learnt to tolerate pathetic films as well as corrupt politicians. But can’t stand someone who can takes independent decisions!
Yes, Mayuri, that’s what a true fan like. He or she likes the person without judging the person.
As for what we consciously tolerate, a number of things, but at the subconscious level we are among the most intolerant people. That’s perhaps because an ancient culture is bound to be self-protective, and slightly intolerant of change. Nothing good or bad about it, it’s just like that.
As for what we consciously tolerate, a number of things, but at the subconscious level we are among the most intolerant people. That’s perhaps because an ancient culture is bound to be self-protective, and slightly intolerant of change. Nothing good or bad about it, it’s just like that.
Dear Jitaditya,
It is not about independent decisions because technically all decision that we make are ’independent’. Nobody governs those decision.
As for Aamir, if you are referring to his second marriage, the decision he took was of a very personal kind. So, I think we should not drag it into public domain. But yes, ’independence’ and ’disregard’ are different things.
It is not about independent decisions because technically all decision that we make are ’independent’. Nobody governs those decision.
As for Aamir, if you are referring to his second marriage, the decision he took was of a very personal kind. So, I think we should not drag it into public domain. But yes, ’independence’ and ’disregard’ are different things.
Well I did not want to drag that thing into public domain. You were the one to mention it first. And yes, he shows disregard to many things like Indian film awards or the popular media. But looking at them going gaga over stupid no brainers, I think he does the right thing.
Dear Jitadiya,
Read the comment very carefully. And I hope you understand the distinction between ’referring to’ and ’dragging in’. If you read my response to your first comment carefully enough, you would realize that I am very clearly stating that all criticism against him may not rational and may be an emotional backlash. What exists at ’subconscious level’ exercises a subtle but profound influence on how we look at things. So, the point is that his conduct might not deserve to be treated with the kind of anger he is drawing these days.
And by the way, Aamir Khan is whatever he is because of his popular appeal, and not on account of his talent entirely unless you want to say he is the most talented actor in the country. So, if he looks down upon Indian Film Awards and still tries his best to get an Oscar, he is just being ungrateful to those who made him into what he is.
These ’stupid no brainers’ are the one’s who enabled Aamir the fame and distinction he has today. Yes, he has earned it, but again it was by appealing to the masses and not the intelligentsia alone.
He has been a good actor, but what he enjoys today is ’stardom’, not ’critical acclaim’. There were far better actor before him, are there now and will always be, but none of them was ’Aamir Khan’ because none had the kind of popular appeal he has. But Aamir would still not appear at Indian Film Awards but would go wagging his tail if it’s an Oscar on the plate.
No offence, Jitadiya. Don’t mean to make you feel bad, but request you to consider the other side of the story.
Read the comment very carefully. And I hope you understand the distinction between ’referring to’ and ’dragging in’. If you read my response to your first comment carefully enough, you would realize that I am very clearly stating that all criticism against him may not rational and may be an emotional backlash. What exists at ’subconscious level’ exercises a subtle but profound influence on how we look at things. So, the point is that his conduct might not deserve to be treated with the kind of anger he is drawing these days.
And by the way, Aamir Khan is whatever he is because of his popular appeal, and not on account of his talent entirely unless you want to say he is the most talented actor in the country. So, if he looks down upon Indian Film Awards and still tries his best to get an Oscar, he is just being ungrateful to those who made him into what he is.
These ’stupid no brainers’ are the one’s who enabled Aamir the fame and distinction he has today. Yes, he has earned it, but again it was by appealing to the masses and not the intelligentsia alone.
He has been a good actor, but what he enjoys today is ’stardom’, not ’critical acclaim’. There were far better actor before him, are there now and will always be, but none of them was ’Aamir Khan’ because none had the kind of popular appeal he has. But Aamir would still not appear at Indian Film Awards but would go wagging his tail if it’s an Oscar on the plate.
No offence, Jitadiya. Don’t mean to make you feel bad, but request you to consider the other side of the story.
Well as a matter of fact you are just playing with the words. The simple thing is I commented because you mentioned which is no big deal.
And yes he also did the no brainers in 80s & 90s (No one would have produced Lagaan or TZP 10 yrs ago). But he has been trying to stay away from them after getting established.
Oscars are universally accepted benchmarks (though not always accurate). So there is nothing wrong in having a shot at that avoiding the domestic ones. If you notice the kind of films that have won Filmfare and Zee cine awards this would become clear.
And yes he also did the no brainers in 80s & 90s (No one would have produced Lagaan or TZP 10 yrs ago). But he has been trying to stay away from them after getting established.
Oscars are universally accepted benchmarks (though not always accurate). So there is nothing wrong in having a shot at that avoiding the domestic ones. If you notice the kind of films that have won Filmfare and Zee cine awards this would become clear.
Aamir Khan is known for his work. Sure he is a celebrity, but his personal life is his own and should not be judged. In today’s era, I think he is the most couragious of all. He surely gives us a break from the run of the mill movies.
Aamir Khan, being a celebrity, has a certain social responsibility and no matter what we say or believe, his personal life - like that of all celebrities - will always be ’judged’.
And this crown of ’courageousness’ for salvaging us from the ’run-of-the-mill’ could be justified 5 years ago. Not any more. In ’today’s era’, especially, there are just too many directors out there who have displayed courage and depth of sensibility in giving us films like ’Dharm’ and ’The Blue Umbrella’, which are in the class of their own.
Yes, he is courageous. After all, it takes enormous courage to try and prove that Mangal Pandey was a great nationalist and the first freedom fighter.
And this crown of ’courageousness’ for salvaging us from the ’run-of-the-mill’ could be justified 5 years ago. Not any more. In ’today’s era’, especially, there are just too many directors out there who have displayed courage and depth of sensibility in giving us films like ’Dharm’ and ’The Blue Umbrella’, which are in the class of their own.
Yes, he is courageous. After all, it takes enormous courage to try and prove that Mangal Pandey was a great nationalist and the first freedom fighter.
I understand Hemraj what you are trying to say. If you look at it from their perspective it is really hard for them. You or I can simply say ”Its our personal life and I dont want to talk about it”. For them, everything is talked about. Sure judge his personal life. But dont mix it with his profession- thats all i meant.
Let him make his personal choices.
Every actor has had hits and flops. I dont think that really adds up for that person to be a star or not.
I am a huge fan of Nagesh Kukunoor, of Onir. Dont you think they are under rated? They have given us excellent movies. How much do we know about their personal life or discuss about it?
Let him make his personal choices.
Every actor has had hits and flops. I dont think that really adds up for that person to be a star or not.
I am a huge fan of Nagesh Kukunoor, of Onir. Dont you think they are under rated? They have given us excellent movies. How much do we know about their personal life or discuss about it?
Coming to ”social responsibility”..what exactly has he done?...did he hunted protected animal or drove in a drunken state...those are the people you should be looking at when you talk of social responsibility.
And your take on Mangal Pandey is still open to debate. Nothing has been proven decisively about him being a real hero or an accidental martyr. So till the intellectual debate is settled, please leave him alone.
And your take on Mangal Pandey is still open to debate. Nothing has been proven decisively about him being a real hero or an accidental martyr. So till the intellectual debate is settled, please leave him alone.
I am not talking about ’legal responsibility’, if you are confused about these two. Social responsibility by definition is about being a model citizen when you are in a position of influence.
Attacking protected animals, driving in drunken state and all such things that you are referring to land one on the wrong side of the law, which is part of one’s legal obligations. Hope the distinction is now clear to you.
So far as Mangal Pandey is concerned, the debate has been long settled. There is no room for any confusion any more. It is very, very clear from whatever historical documents are available that he did not act out of any nationalistic emotion simply because there was no ’nation’ at that point of time. And there is no debate about it.
Yes, he did organize people but it was more to do with his religious feelings and of those who were on his side than any nationalistic agenda. It has been pointed out time and again, ever since Mangal Pandey was released, that the movie is a historical blunder. I ardently hope you know that part of it.
Attacking protected animals, driving in drunken state and all such things that you are referring to land one on the wrong side of the law, which is part of one’s legal obligations. Hope the distinction is now clear to you.
So far as Mangal Pandey is concerned, the debate has been long settled. There is no room for any confusion any more. It is very, very clear from whatever historical documents are available that he did not act out of any nationalistic emotion simply because there was no ’nation’ at that point of time. And there is no debate about it.
Yes, he did organize people but it was more to do with his religious feelings and of those who were on his side than any nationalistic agenda. It has been pointed out time and again, ever since Mangal Pandey was released, that the movie is a historical blunder. I ardently hope you know that part of it.
Dear Debolina,
It is indeed hard on them. And I sometimes think it is not really justified to drag Aamir as far and as mercilessly as we do. This is exactly why I wrote in one of my comments that there may be a ’subconscious element’ in all the criticism that he has come to face today.
Obviously, it is not fair to drag his personal life into any debate. But then we tend to react emotionally to our ’heroes’ and this emotional reaction is what makes them the ’stars’.
Of course, there is no dearth of actors better than Aamir (I am sure you would agree), but none of them has the clout that Aamir has, and that’s for one simple reason — people attach themselves to Aamir emotionally, which is why the distinction between his private life and public life blurs away.
Surely, it is not justified, but then that’s the way it is. :):):)
It is indeed hard on them. And I sometimes think it is not really justified to drag Aamir as far and as mercilessly as we do. This is exactly why I wrote in one of my comments that there may be a ’subconscious element’ in all the criticism that he has come to face today.
Obviously, it is not fair to drag his personal life into any debate. But then we tend to react emotionally to our ’heroes’ and this emotional reaction is what makes them the ’stars’.
Of course, there is no dearth of actors better than Aamir (I am sure you would agree), but none of them has the clout that Aamir has, and that’s for one simple reason — people attach themselves to Aamir emotionally, which is why the distinction between his private life and public life blurs away.
Surely, it is not justified, but then that’s the way it is. :):):)
I still don’t get what ”social responsibility” you are yearning for. He choose not to talk about certain things in public and that falls in your ”democratic responsibility” to let him do so. Probably you are to mesmerized by the ones who take every opportunity to grab the limelight in the media (there is nothing wrong in that too)...
Coming to the Mangal Pandey thing, the movie was obviously not historically accurate. But as far as the personality is concerned, nothing has been ”long settled”. Rightist historians will still vouch for him while leftist ones will cry foul. And as a neutral citizen I can’t blindly believe the left.
Coming to the Mangal Pandey thing, the movie was obviously not historically accurate. But as far as the personality is concerned, nothing has been ”long settled”. Rightist historians will still vouch for him while leftist ones will cry foul. And as a neutral citizen I can’t blindly believe the left.
I guess you missed the whole issue then. It is not about whether he talks about certain things or not. He may choose to remain silent, but his silence will not automatically silence the people who choose to speak about it. Nobody is forcing him to speak. So, the ’democratic duty’ — whatever that means to you — is answered.
Now, it is not about what he speaks about but how he conducts himself in even in his private life that has a certain influence on people and people tend to react to it. Therefore, it is important for him to consider their reactions. Not that he is bound to do so, or that he ’should’ do it. But since stars tend to become ’ideals’ and ’idols’, considering public reaction is part of their job profile, so to speak.
The ambit of privacy with respect to the celebrities is considerably smaller than that of a common man for obvious reasons. We cannot take away the limelight. Therefore, if your every move is noted and emulated, you must act responsibly and that’s what ’social responsibility’ vis-a-vis celebrities means.
Having said that, let me re-insist that I am not saying that Aamir conducted himself wrongly in anyway, but some part of his conduct might not have gone down well with the sense of morality of a large section of Indian people. The flak that he has started drawing of late may have a reason therein.
So far as Mangal Pandey is concerned, it is no longer about historical documents. If you simply apply your own reason to the indisputable historical facts, the conclusion is inescapable.
Sense of nationalism never arises out of sheer vacuum. There has to be a background to it. And there was none at that time. So, Mangal Pandey was surely not a willing martyr for the nation. He might have died for his own values but not in an attempt to defend a ’nation’.
Indian nationalism rose much, much later. And that’s not historically questionable.
Now, it is not about what he speaks about but how he conducts himself in even in his private life that has a certain influence on people and people tend to react to it. Therefore, it is important for him to consider their reactions. Not that he is bound to do so, or that he ’should’ do it. But since stars tend to become ’ideals’ and ’idols’, considering public reaction is part of their job profile, so to speak.
The ambit of privacy with respect to the celebrities is considerably smaller than that of a common man for obvious reasons. We cannot take away the limelight. Therefore, if your every move is noted and emulated, you must act responsibly and that’s what ’social responsibility’ vis-a-vis celebrities means.
Having said that, let me re-insist that I am not saying that Aamir conducted himself wrongly in anyway, but some part of his conduct might not have gone down well with the sense of morality of a large section of Indian people. The flak that he has started drawing of late may have a reason therein.
So far as Mangal Pandey is concerned, it is no longer about historical documents. If you simply apply your own reason to the indisputable historical facts, the conclusion is inescapable.
Sense of nationalism never arises out of sheer vacuum. There has to be a background to it. And there was none at that time. So, Mangal Pandey was surely not a willing martyr for the nation. He might have died for his own values but not in an attempt to defend a ’nation’.
Indian nationalism rose much, much later. And that’s not historically questionable.
Some other crying foul will be the British historians with Colonial hangover...
Religious and regional sentiments did play a part. But that doesn’t belittle his achievement who rose against the mighty colonial rulers.
Religious and regional sentiments did play a part. But that doesn’t belittle his achievement who rose against the mighty colonial rulers.
Well, when an elephant step on an ant, and the ant bites back, it’s not called ’courage’. Courage is when you have the choice to walk away and you still keep fighting.
And when you are hurt and feel like taking revenge, and lunge forth to spear the guts out your mighty opponent, that’s not courage either. It’s plain, mindless, blinding, white rage.
And when you are hurt and feel like taking revenge, and lunge forth to spear the guts out your mighty opponent, that’s not courage either. It’s plain, mindless, blinding, white rage.
As you have said ”Nobody is forcing him to speak”...and the you yourself have said ”his silence will not automatically silence the people who choose to speak about it”...this is the whole point of mentioning ”democratic duty”...people should learn to respect someones personal choices...unless the celeb does something criminal..
About Pandey again, Nationalism doesn’t build up overnight. In that sense Tipu Sultan and Laxmibai also don’t fall in that category. But you need such build ups to finally reach a state where people realize the nationalism. They were the early catalysts of the process and we need to show some respect. After all, not every one in his regiment had the guts to shoot a British officer.
About Pandey again, Nationalism doesn’t build up overnight. In that sense Tipu Sultan and Laxmibai also don’t fall in that category. But you need such build ups to finally reach a state where people realize the nationalism. They were the early catalysts of the process and we need to show some respect. After all, not every one in his regiment had the guts to shoot a British officer.
All builds-up to nationalism are just that — the builds-up. The precursor is not the event by definition.
Mangal Pandey, Tipu Sultan and the likes might have played some role, but they were not fighting for a nation (as I said, there was no conception of a nation at that time). They were fighting for themselves and against suppression. So, they were freedom fighters in very limited sense, if at all.
Mangal Pandey’s position is still different from that of Laxmibai and Tipu Sultan because these two were the rulers and were fighting for the freedom of their people.
Mangal Pandey had no such obligation and was, therefore, fighting for himself alone, and, if you must say, for his honour.
Mangal Pandey, Tipu Sultan and the likes might have played some role, but they were not fighting for a nation (as I said, there was no conception of a nation at that time). They were fighting for themselves and against suppression. So, they were freedom fighters in very limited sense, if at all.
Mangal Pandey’s position is still different from that of Laxmibai and Tipu Sultan because these two were the rulers and were fighting for the freedom of their people.
Mangal Pandey had no such obligation and was, therefore, fighting for himself alone, and, if you must say, for his honour.
”Well, when an elephant step on an ant, and the ant bites back”
I see a deeprooted inferiority complex in this statement!
”Courage is when you have the choice to walk away and you still keep fighting.”
He had the choice to continue working in the army and live on...what about that?
I see a deeprooted inferiority complex in this statement!
”Courage is when you have the choice to walk away and you still keep fighting.”
He had the choice to continue working in the army and live on...what about that?
Superiority and inferiority are simply functions of power (think about it). At a certain level both have no meaning.
Besides, no matter what complex you call it, the point of ’ant’ analogy was that when you hit back out of compulsion, it’s not exactly ’courage’.
And once he felt insulted and his Brahmin self outraged, he could not continue working in the army and living on. It was no choice to him. The only thing that could give him any sense of redemption was to fight back, which he did. The same goes for those who fought for him.
Besides, this is not about courage at all. Even he was most courageous, he was fighting for his own cause. He was not fighting for freedom or for ’nation’. He was, at best, fighting for himself and may for his people. So, by no stretch of imagination can Mangal Pandey be called a ’freedom fighter’. That’s the point.
Besides, no matter what complex you call it, the point of ’ant’ analogy was that when you hit back out of compulsion, it’s not exactly ’courage’.
And once he felt insulted and his Brahmin self outraged, he could not continue working in the army and living on. It was no choice to him. The only thing that could give him any sense of redemption was to fight back, which he did. The same goes for those who fought for him.
Besides, this is not about courage at all. Even he was most courageous, he was fighting for his own cause. He was not fighting for freedom or for ’nation’. He was, at best, fighting for himself and may for his people. So, by no stretch of imagination can Mangal Pandey be called a ’freedom fighter’. That’s the point.
In that case you again missed the entire point of talking about the ”build up” of nationalism.
Going by your logic anyone who fights the oppressors are ”mindless” ants with no choice! Having a sense of self respect for whatever reason is not a simple thing. There are many who chooses to digest the humiliation silently. And as I said before these were the early stages where fighting for his own people can be seen as a microcosm of a big nationalist movement that was to come. If you can’t fight for your own people can you fight for the nation?
Going by your logic anyone who fights the oppressors are ”mindless” ants with no choice! Having a sense of self respect for whatever reason is not a simple thing. There are many who chooses to digest the humiliation silently. And as I said before these were the early stages where fighting for his own people can be seen as a microcosm of a big nationalist movement that was to come. If you can’t fight for your own people can you fight for the nation?
Anyway...this thread has been a gr8 example of diverting from the topic!
Yeah that’s true. What did we begin with and where have we come. Only geography remains to be discussed now.:):)
It was good though. I feel we are disagreeing in part only and perhaps this disagreement is on account of debating the minor parts of a bigger picture.
Courage is one thing, nationalism is quite another. Of course the latter requires the former.
But why are we debating Mangal Pandey? Simply because Aamir acted in it? Funny.
Looking back at it, it’s quite amusing, the way we wandered all over the place.
Nice interaction, Jitaditya. Thanks a lot.
It was good though. I feel we are disagreeing in part only and perhaps this disagreement is on account of debating the minor parts of a bigger picture.
Courage is one thing, nationalism is quite another. Of course the latter requires the former.
But why are we debating Mangal Pandey? Simply because Aamir acted in it? Funny.
Looking back at it, it’s quite amusing, the way we wandered all over the place.
Nice interaction, Jitaditya. Thanks a lot.
yeah..i thought we should accept ourselves before someone else comes and accuses us of diversion..:D:D