Kangana Ranaut, who has never worked with Aamir Khan, shares her view of the reclusive actor, who is a close friend
As told to Sneha Mahadevan (DNA; March 14, 2015)


My first impression of him when I was actually old enough to have one was that this man had strong values. It’s a very rare quality to find in people, especially in our industry where actors are expected to do just about anything right from dancing at weddings to impromptu jigs.

I am sorry to make it sound bad but it seems like if you throw money at actors, they would do whatever it takes. Amidst this mindset, Aamir stands out. He is a rebel with a cause because he stands up for really cool stuff. Stuff that he believes in and stands by, no matter what.

He was also the first actor who started casting people for films based on character and talent. Very often you see people working with their girlfriends, relatives or friends in movies. When I joined the movies, I knew no one, I didn’t have anyone to turn to but I am not someone who will suck up to people for work. I have set very high standards for myself and I respect myself. That is when I started to obsess over the idea of working with Aamir because he holds merit and talent above everything else and I hope in the coming years, people have the same impression about me.

He is also very inspiring, be it the humanitarian work he does or the causes he stands up for or his television show. He is an amazing person and does incredible things but let’s go of those very things as easily as well. He is one actor who builds an eight pack every year for a year and then loses it as easily for another role that requires him to not have that kind of physique.

When Satyamev Jayate started, my family and I particularly identified with the episode on acid attacks. My sister has gone through that in her life and the way he dealt with a sensitive issue like that was touching. Another episode on mardaangi where he spoke about how men need to hold on to their horses and respect women made him an even bigger hero for me. That episode was about how people take women for granted just because they are gentle and delicate. I have personally experienced that and I admire him for addressing issues like these.

I have had the opportunity to know him closely and in all our conversations, if there is one thing that I have realised is that he is so humble that he doesn’t carry the burden of his achievements because he is extremely humble. For me, more than anything else, it is important to become a successful individual. I want to sit in my room by myself and feel successful. For me, more than material success, my pride and dignity comes first. And his footsetps have helped me achieve that. I didn’t know how to go about becoming that person but Aamir is someone who gave me that direction because he is not someone who blindly runs behind money and is always very right. He is the perfect example of a rebel with a cause. He is my real hero and I hold him in high regard. Thank God for Aamir Khan!