Where Aamir is Different

Then I was not a fan of Aamir Khan during the 90s. Though I saw his films, but to me, he was like any other film star. Then came Lagaan, and the whole concept of a film star to me changed. He became different, he looked a prodigy. By producing Lagaan, he exalts himself from a mere film star to a patriot.

There are many film stars of repute. Stars like Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Hrithik and Abhishek can be called commercial entertainers. Though Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are not only superstars, but they are eminent personalities, having a vast number of fans. Yet, Aamir is different.

There is no doubt that AB and SRK have enormous talents to their credit, and by virtue of that, they have always been at the helm of glamour. But these two have always prioritized money. Often we see AB crossing SRK by crore, and vice versa. But only once we read that Aamir became dearer. AB and SRK can sell anything in the world from cold drinks, cars, tvs, fridges, computers to toothpastes, detergents, chyawanprash, sona chandi, everything. They are competitors between themselves. They have their wax-idols in Madame Taussaud. Aamir has none of these qualifications. But who has enthralled us more but Aamir, by the advertisements of Coca Cola by showing 'Meri Bindu re Bindu', 'Madhu Makhkhi ka Chatta' and 'Dakar inside a flight'. Unmatchable adverts! This is the difference.

AB joined politics in 1984 by associating himself with the Congress to become a help to his childhood friend Rajiv. But he jumped off from the Rajiv ship when it took a volatile turn. After few years, he was sitting along Mulayam & Amar. After the UP debacle, he is not much seen with them. And SRK? He is a bit cleverer. He does not work for Congress, though in 2004 general election it was heard that he would campaign if Rahul Gandhi took on Vajpayee from the Lucknow constituency. He often visits Priyanka and Vadera and takes them to show a premiere of his film. And Aamir? He had once gone to accompany the then PM, Vajpayee, to see his film Lagaan. But then it was a call from a PM and a person like Vajpayee whom we call modern day Vishwa Pitama, and it was a film of the stature of Lagaan. This is the difference.

Aamir is a patriot. It's not that he doesn't understand politics. He doesn't enter into politics, as much as he doesn't walk up to the stage to accept awards. He is a well-versed person having a strong opinion about the key issues of the country. He makes films so that India could clinch Oscar awards. He visited our soldiers when they felt lonely at the glaciers border, only to boast their morale. He sits beside the Narmada Andolankaris to bring smiles on their faces, never caring what would the Narmada beneficiaries would say against. Aamir has his clear opinion on the issues like poverty, education, reservation policy, minority problems, terrorism, child abuse, even Tibet. Reading out his blogs is effervescent.

The day hundreds of Aamirs are born in India, it would indeed be an amir state in all respect. Hats off!