Showing posts with label Zeenat Hussain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zeenat Hussain. Show all posts
Aamir Khan is the greatest gift God has given me-Vishnu Vishal
9:17 AM
Neeshita Nyayapati (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 29, 2025)
On actor-producer Vishnu Vishal and badminton player Jwala Gutta’s (42) fourth wedding anniversary on April 22 this year, the couple was blessed with a baby girl. Interestingly, the baby’s name, Mira, was given by actor Aamir Khan, who had attended her naamkaran ceremony in July.
Vishnu shares that his and Jwala’s bond with Aamir goes back to 2023, when Aamir’s mother, Zeenat Hussain, was undergoing treatment for an unspecified illness in Chennai. “Aamir was in production for a movie then, and they needed me to find a home stay instead of a hotel for 2-3 months so his team would find enough space to work. I remember arranging villas for them to stay, and we became friends from there,” Vishnu recollects.
Calling Aamir “the greatest gift God has given” him, Vishnu explains that their relationship deepened beyond friendship. Jwala, who had almost given up on having children and had been exploring adoption, received unexpected help from Aamir. “He (Aamir) helped us find a good doctor in Mumbai for IVF treatment for Jwala. And when she became pregnant, it made us very emotional because she had almost given up… he brought back joy into our lives. He treated us like nothing less than family,” says Vishnu.
“Jwala was in Mumbai with his family for almost ten months, and his mom and sister took care of her personally. That bond has now evolved into a close friendship. When Jwala became pregnant, I told Aamir he should be the one to name our baby, because he was the one to give us hope,” he adds.
Speaking about the new chapter in his life, Vishnu shares, “Life is pretty good now. I finally have what I’ve always wished for.”
When a person like Amitabh Bachchan backed me to do it, I became confident-Aamir Khan
8:34 AM
As Aamir Khan bypasses OTT giants to release Sitaare Zameen Par only in theatres, he opens up on how Amitabh Bachchan gave him confidence when no one else supported his decision
Priyanka Sharma, Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 7, 2025)
At one point in our interview, Aamir Khan candidly says, “I’m not known for my practicality.” We’d disagree. After all, the actor and producer is one of the sharpest business minds in the Indian film industry. That explains why the industry is looking to him as he tries what could well be a gamble with his upcoming release, Sitaare Zameen Par.
Khan has announced that the slice-of-life film, directed by R S Prasanna, won’t be available on OTT after its theatrical release, defying the current business model of the industry.
To some, it’s a risky move. To him, it’s a matter of loyalty. “I’m a loyalist of cinema. I have reached here because of theatres, and I won’t turn my back on them. Secondly, I have faith in my audience. We keep saying that the audience doesn’t come to theatres. It’s common sense that I cannot sell the same thing twice. That’s why I am coming only in theatres,” explains Khan, while also refuting rumours that he is opting for a pay-per-view model on YouTube for the film.
Making the unusual decision was admittedly scary. Scarier even was that no one in the industry endorsed the move. The superstar recalls, “Some of my friends said that I was taking too big a risk. I was in a dilemma because, of course, I also get scared.”
But one person showed faith in him, when nobody else did. “One person put me on the track — Mr [Amitabh] Bachchan. During a dinner at his house, I told him my problem. He said, ‘You always take risks. You are known to be a risk taker. You should do it.’ When a person like Amit ji backed me to do it, I became confident. The next day, I told my team, ‘Amit ji has told us. We are not releasing anywhere, only in theatres.’”
The superstar knows that with Sitaare Zameen Par — which also stars Genelia Deshmukh, and tells a heartfelt story of how 10 neuro-divergent kids inspire an ill-mannered basketball coach to change for the better — he is changing the norms of the industry. But he insists he is doing what feels right to him.
Khan says, “No production house is green-lighting a film until you pre-sell it digitally. So, you’ve shown that you won’t make a film without OTT. I’ve made it clear that I won’t make a film with OTT. I have no problem with streamers, but I don’t think it’s logical that a film streams so soon after its release. Show my film on OTT after six months, I won’t mind it. But OTT platforms told me, ‘If you are not streaming it within eight weeks of release, then we don’t want it.’ I said no to that. I’m losing a lot of money. If a film of mine without presale from OTT doesn’t do well in theatres, I’m finished.”
The question then is: How did streamers become so powerful to dictate the business in Bollywood? “We’ve taken the wrong step. We are responsible,” admits Khan.
Now, as he is hoping to undo the practice, the actor believes he couldn’t have asked for a better film. He remembers being touched by the story — an adaptation of the Spanish film, Campeones (2018) — when Prasanna approached him with it in 2022. The actor’s only hesitation was that the character of Gulshan, a politically incorrect guy, was far from him.
“I told R S Prasanna that the character is politically incorrect, rude, and arrogant. There are a lot of people in the industry who will suit him. Why don’t we go to them? I even suggested the name,” he laughs. But the director was clear that he wanted Khan in the role, and the superstar agreed.
Khan’s excitement regarding the film, however, turned into desolation after Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) tanked at the box office within days of its release. “When Laal Singh didn’t do well, I was heartbroken. We were to start Sitaare… I called Prasanna and said, ‘I am in depression. How will I work in depression? I won’t be able to do it. I don’t want to leave the house right now. My crying hasn’t ended yet.’ I told him to make it with someone else,” recounts the actor. Prasanna respected his wishes, and chose two actors to lead the film that was to be made in two languages, at that time.
Khan reveals, “We finalised Farhan Akhtar for Hindi and Sivakarthikeyan for the Tamil version. Dates were locked.” However, just before going into prep, the superstar started having a change of heart. “In that one week [of fine-tuning the script], as Divy Nidhi Sharma [writer] was reading it, I suddenly felt, ‘Why am I not doing this film? It’s such a good script.’ As the week ended, I told them how I was feeling. I said that of course, nothing could be done as the bullet had left the gun.”
While Prasanna was happy to know that Khan, his first choice, wished to lead the film, he requested the superstar to talk to Akhtar and Sivakarthikeyan. After much pressure from his collaborators, when Khan spoke to the two actors, they were graceful about the turn of events. He remembers, “Farhan was disappointed. He really loved the role, but he understood. Sivakarthikeyan said, ‘Why are you saying sorry, sir? Please do the film. It’s yours.’”
Did you know?
Aamir Khan’s mother Zeenat Hussain and sister Nikhat Hegde have cameos in Sitaare Zameen Par. When Hussain visited the movie set one day, director R S Prasanna decided to cast her in the title song that plays at the end of the film. Hegde features in another scene.
We tie rakhi to Aamir Khan and he ties to us-Nikhat Khan
9:14 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 18, 2024)
Actor Nikhat Khan, who was last seen in the film Pathaan (2023), says her family follows Raksha Bandhan “with shiddat”. In the run-up to the festival, the actor tells us it’s one of the family’s cherished occasions, and which they look forward to celebrating at younger brother, actor-producer Aamir Khan’s house.
“Raksha Bandhan is something we always celebrate with a lot of joy. This time, too, we will be celebrating, but my sister Farhat (the youngest of the four Khan siblings) is abroad, so we will miss her and I will do the rituals on her behalf. Last year, I was travelling, so she did it for me. Usually, we go to Aamir’s house and we do the little ritual of tika, with diya and mithai. Us din sweets ka bhi koi parhez nahin rehta, khila hi dete hain!” beams Nikhat.
Like every family, the Khan clan, too, has their unique twist to the festival. “Aamir ties us Rakhi too — ki aisa nahin hai ki only he has to protect us; we, too, have to protect him. So, hum unko aur woh humko Rakhi bandhtey hain, which is very sweet,” Nikhat says.
What does she feel is the best part of celebrating Raksha Bandhan? “That we remind each other, ki hum hain! It’s a nice feeling. Special ho jata hai. Shiddat ke saath karte hain and when kids also see all this, they also understand our social fabric,” she tells us.
Khan says the bond between the siblings has deepened over the years. “Thankfully, we get the opportunity to meet each other frequently as we stay in the same building, all of us — me, Aamir and Faisal. Only my sister is not here as she has moved to London. Our ammi (Zeenat Hussain) is also here, and mashallah, she is 90 now. Her not keeping well in the past two years has brought us even closer together,” she wraps up.
Aamir Khan appears in new look, takes a break from acting
8:04 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (November 16, 2022)
After focussing on work for the last 35 years of his life, Aamir Khan says it is time he took a break – maybe for “a year and a half” – to prioritise his family. While speaking at an event in Delhi, the actor said he was supposed to start preparing for a new film following the August 11 release of Laal Singh Chaddha, which had a disappointing run at the box office.
“But I feel like I want to take a break. I want to be with my family, with my mom, with my kids,” explained the actor, whose mother Zeenat Hussain was admitted to a Mumbai hospital after reportedly suffering a heart attack last month.
“When I am doing a film as an actor, I get so lost in that and nothing else happens in my life,” said Aamir, adding that his “single-minded” focus on his career has neither been fair to him nor his loved ones. “I feel like I have been working for 35 years and I feel I have been single-mindedly focussed on my work. . . And I feel it’s not fair to the people who are close to me. It’s not fair to me also in many ways. This is the time for me to experience life in a different way,” the 57-year-old star said.
“I’m looking forward to the next year, year and a half, in which I’m not actually working as an actor for the first time. . . I’ll work as a producer on Champions because I really believe in the film. I’ll approach other actors now to see if they are interested to do the role that I was hoping to do. I’m at that stage in my life where I want to enjoy my relationships,” he said.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (November 16, 2022)
Actor Aamir Khan made a rare public appearance recently in Delhi, one of his first since the box-office failure of his latest film, Laal Singh Chaddha. What surprised people more was his new, all-grey hair and beard look. A video from the event has gone viral not just because of this, but also because he’s seen announcing that he’s taking a mini break from acting.
“When I am doing a film as an actor, I get so lost in it that nothing else happens in my life. I was supposed to do a film after Laal Singh Chaddha called Champions. It’s a wonderful script, a beautiful story, and it’s a very heartwarming. But I feel that I want to take a break, be with my family,” he said.
This means that the 57-year-old will not be starring in the film anymore. However, he is still producing it. He declared that the makers have started approaching other actors for the lead role: “I’m at that stage in life where I’d like to enjoy my relationships at this point of time.”
Expressing that he is looking forward to the break now, Khan said, “I feel I have been working for 35 years and I have single-mindedly been focused on my work. It’s not fair to people who are close to me. I have to take some time off to be with them.”
Aamir Khan's mother Zeenat to give first clap for Laal Singh Chaddha
7:58 AM
Aamir Khan's mother Zeenat to give the clap as his passion project Laal Singh Chaddha goes on floors on October 31; the first schedule of the four-decade story to focus on the city's history
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 26, 2019)
Seven months after he announced Laal Singh Chaddha, Aamir Khan is finally ready to take it on floors. While it was initially heard that the Advait Chandan-directed venture would roll in Punjab, mid-day has learnt that the first schedule will take place in Mumbai. What's more, since the drama is close to Khan's heart, he has requested mother Zeenat Hussain to give the first clap for the project.
A source says, "Aamir has brought the shoot forward by a day to October 31 as both, Advait and he, felt they were fully familiarised with the material and were ready. The first leg of shooting will take place at Yash Raj Films Studios in Andheri, with his mother expected to give the clap. It's the first time in his 30-year career that she will do it."
An official adaptation of Tom Hanks' Forrest Gump (1994), Laal Singh Chaddha will see Khan's simple-minded character witness the various historic moments of India — including the Emergency and the Kargil war — over four decades. The source informs that the first stint will be restricted to episodes that took place in Mumbai. "It's a 15-day schedule in and around the city, and will focus on Mumbai's history. Post that, the team will head to North India, including Delhi and Punjab."
The superstar had explained early on how he will sport different looks in the drama that also features Kareena Kapoor Khan. "The sequences to be shot in the first schedule will see Aamir's character in his middle age. The perfectionist has lost 20 kilos and grown his beard for his Sardar act."
Here's why Aamir Khan has been making midnight trips to his mother's house
8:20 AM
Despite his food restrictions for next Laal Singh Chaddha, Aamir Khan raids mother's fridge to satisfy midnight cravings
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 30, 2019)
Over the past five months, Aamir Khan has been following a vegan diet in his bid to lose 20 kilos for Laal Singh Chaddha, the remake of Forrest Gump (1994). However, turns out, Mr Perfectionist too isn't above temptation — the superstar, we hear, often drops in at mother Zeenat's house at midnight to get his fill of his favourite kebabs.
Says a source close to the actor, "Aamir has adopted a special protein-heavy diet that consists of steamed or baked vegetables, greens, tofu, lentils, and multi-grain roti. The diet has been so rigorous that the superstar started craving some of his favourite foods. So, over the past few weeks, he has been making midnight trips to his mother's house, which is a stone's throw away from his Bandra residence, to gorge on kebabs prepared by her. Keeping Aamir's diet in mind, his mother has now started making diet-friendly vegan kebabs. She stocks her fridge with them so that the actor can help himself whenever he pleases."
Aamir Khan does not know that I have turned director-Faisal Khan
8:20 AM
Superstar Aamir Khan's brother and Mela actor Faisal Khan helms action thriller, Factory
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 28, 2019)
Only months ago, reports surfaced that Faisal Khan — brother to superstar Aamir Khan — will be seen in the action thriller, Factory. Now, it has come to light that the actor will make his directorial debut with the movie. Faisal says, "Direction was always on my mind, but this happened organically. We had another director [Sharique Minhaj] on board, but due to date issues, he couldn't continue. That's when I decided to step in. What is interesting is that my brother and mother [Zeenat] are aware of the film, but they don't know that I have turned director. I wanted to surprise them after finishing one schedule. I am waiting to see their reaction."Having forayed into movies in 1994 with Madhosh, Faisal struggled to find a foothold in the industry. Aamir's attempt at boosting his career with Mela (1999) was met with little success. Since then, Faisal has been seen sporadically in films. The thriller also marks his singing debut. "Sharique insisted that I sing the song. I had no qualms about turning singer."
Aamir Khan back to his Pali Hill apartment after owners refuse to leave their flats for his bungalow
8:09 AM
(middle) Marina Apatments; (right) Freeda One that serves as Khan's current pad
Unable to convince owners to leave their flats to make way for his bungalow, Aamir returns to original home as the lease expires at his Carter Road rental
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 30, 2019)
Aamir Khan is home-bound again. The actor, who had made the top storeys of Freeda One at Carter Road his address over the past six years, is moving back to his Pali Hill abode, Marina Apartments.
Says a source, "His lease at Freeda One is expiring soon, and he has decided to not renew it. The idea of relocating to Marina Apartments had been on his mind for quite some time. That's why he had ordered that the place be spruced up. With the renovation now complete, his old home is ready to welcome him back."
It has been heard that Khan's wife Kiran Rao, who is known to have a green thumb, had been overseeing the refurbishment and has ensured that the Bandra pad is designed with the central theme of nature.
The Khans own several flats in the Virgo Cooperative Housing Society Limited — if Marina Apartments was the superstar's address of choice for decades until 2013, mother Zeenat and brother Faisal stayed next door at the Belle Vue Apartments.
The property holds such a special place in his life that in 2014, Khan had expressed the desire to redevelop it and build a bungalow in its place. However, his long-cherished plans went awry when some of the members objected to the proposal and did not want to be "bought out".
Following this, he set out to renovate his flats. This plan too faced minor hiccups when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued a stop work notice, stating that the renovation — which apparently included building an internal staircase — would affect the building's structure. Fortunately, last August, Khan got a clean chit from the BMC after the structure was audited by IIT Mumbai professors.
Aamir Khan borrowed his mother’s soorma for Thugs of Hindostan?
8:03 AM
(The actor sports a kohl-rimmed look as Firangi in Thugs Of Hindostan)
DNA (September 29, 2018)
Yes, you read that right. Before you jump to any conclusions, let us tell you that Aamir Khan often seeks inspiration from his mother, Zeenat Hussain, and uses her cosmetics to give an authentic touch to his roles. Recently, he borrowed his mom’s soorma (a form of eyeliner) to sport kohl-rimmed eyes and add the much-needed edge to his character, Firangi, in his forthcoming film Thugs Of Hindostan (TOH).
The Bollywood superstar is known to work extra hard on making his screen portrayals memorable. For Dangal (2016), Bollywood’s highest-grosser till date, he put on oodles of weight and was unrecognisable. For TOH, he was debating for weeks on how to give a desi Jack Sparrow kind of look to Firangi. That’s when he came up with the idea of using the soorma.
A source says, “Aamir often consults his mother on how to dress his on-screen characters. He pays close attention to what she says. In fact, she was the one who suggested that he try her soorma. The idea appealed to Aamir.”
Those who saw the TOH trailer, got a glimpse of how perfect his kohl-lined eyes looked.
Check out Mansoor Khan's lovely 60th birthday celebrations
9:15 AM
Clockwise from above: Mansoor Khan at the dinner table, Ira and Kiran soak up the sun, Azad Rao Khan joins in
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 31, 2018)
Mansoor Khan was surrounded by his extended family at his expansive farm house in Coonoor recently. The merry bunch included his actor-cousin Aamir Khan with wife Kiran Rao, kids Junaid, Ira and Azad Rao Khan, and mother Zeenat Hussain, and nephew Imran Khan with wife Avantika and daughter Imara.
The extended family had travelled to the hill station, which offered some much-needed respite from Mumbai’s sweltering heat, to bring in the Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar filmmaker’s 60th birthday on Tuesday.
Mansoor cut a cake and proudly flaunted his birthday boy badge, while the group feasted on homecooked food to celebrate the occasion. After a leisurely meal, the family soaked up the mild sun as they lounged around the farm. Kiran unveiled a cropped hairdo and exclaimed, ‘Embracing the greys,’ while Azad utilised the time to acquaint himself with the farm cat.
“It was a double celebration as they had also rung in friend Danish Hussain’s birthday with a chocolate cake and gathered in the garden for a spot of football earlier in the week. It was the perfect, low-key getaway to unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of the city,” informs a source.
Coincidentally, 2018 also marks 30 years of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Mansoor’s directorial debut, which had opened on 29 April, 1988, while Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar completed 26 years on May 22.
Aamir Khan cuts short US trip for mom during his 51st birthday?
8:04 AM
Will spend his 51st birthday with her while continuing to shed the weight he gained for his wrestling biopic
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 9, 2016)
After weeks spent in the ring in Jalandhar, Punjab, filming his upcoming biopic, having learnt the moves from Olympian wrestler Sushil Kumar, Aamir Khan has quietly taken off to the US. No, they are not shooting the film there. Away from the madding crowds and prying eyes, the perfectionist actor-producer has been gymming diligently in an effort to knock off some no-longer-needed kilos.
Says a source close to the actor, "He has to lose 35-40 kgs before he can play the younger version of the wrestler, it's an uphill task but Aamir is up to it."
What's more being a concerned dad, he is using this opportunity to spend some quality time with his son. Junaid is presently in the City of Angles, studying filmmaking at the Los Angeles Film School and Aamir has been keeping his 21-year-old son company.
"He was supposed to be there till the end of the month but will have to cut short his trip and return in six days. His mother (Zeenat Hussain) is in her 80s now and wants Aamir who turns 51 on March 14 by her side on his birthday. And the doting son has promised her that he will be back before the celebratory Monday," adds the source.
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