Aamir Khan is one of the few actors in the industry with an exceptionally strong track record and only a handful of box office failures. Among those rare missteps is his collaboration with Yash Raj Films, Thugs of Hindostan. Aamir has consistently spoken openly about the film’s underperformance. In a recent interview, he revealed that before Fatima Sana Shaikh was cast, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Shraddha Kapoor were approached for the lead role, but all three declined.
In a candid conversation with The Lallantop, Aamir shared, “When we were casting, no heroines agreed to do the film. Deepika said no, Alia was a no, and Shraddha also said no.” He added, “Ultimately, Victor (Vijay Krishna Acharya) went with Fatima. However, Aditya Chopra and Victor made it clear that although her test was good, she wouldn’t be paired opposite me because I had played her father in Dangal. They were concerned the audience might not accept it.”
Aamir went on to challenge that logic, saying, “I don’t believe in such things because I’m neither her father in real life nor her boyfriend. We’re just actors making a film. Aren’t we underestimating our audience by assuming they won’t understand that?”
As mentioned, Aamir has not shied away from discussing Thugs of Hindostan. Earlier this year, in a podcast with Raj Shamani, he admitted, “I didn’t like Thugs of Hindostan either. Today, I can openly say it. I really tried to convince Aditya Chopra (the producer)… When the film was about to release, I wasn’t happy with it. Kiran Rao (my ex-wife) knows that whenever I have a film releasing, I can’t sleep for two months—my mind goes into overdrive.”
On the professional front, the 60-year-old actor is currently seen in Sitaare Zameen Par. Directed by R.S. Prasanna, the film marks Aamir’s return to the big screen after a three-year hiatus, following the commercial failure of Laal Singh Chaddha in August 2022.
Also Read: “Aamir Khan’s acting was first-class in Sitaare Zameen Par,” says Dr Shashi Tharoor; calls RS Prasanna directorial “well-written”
