Few Bollywood actors are as beloved today as Aamir Khan. Since the 1990’s, Khan has become an Indian icon. Whether it’s committed cricket players, college students or professional wrestlers, Khan has portrayed several characters. A commemorated legend in India, Khan has become an icon of Bollywood Cinema. Listed below are my picks for greatest movies produced by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Dil Chahta Hai
Friendships are fragile relationships that are rarely meant to last forever. I vividly remember forming friendships with a kid in school that I grew up to treasure. We often enjoyed playing soccer creating a powerful bond with each other. Initially, there was no sign to suggest that our relationship would ever decline. However, our bond suddenly came to a closure. All of a sudden, he decided he didn’t want to be my companion. No longer the friend I had grown to adore, he became a stranger that I didn’t recognize anymore. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the roles friends play shaping lives of people as powerfully as “Dil Chahta Hai”. Ever since its release in 2001, Aamir Khan’s movie has stood the test of time as a coming-of-age classic. In the greatest role of his career, Aamir Khan embodies a young man whose strong friendship with beloved companions becomes a painful burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Khan has always had an aptitude for communicating emotions through his expressions, and “Dil Chahta Hai” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Akash adopts a silent attitude refusing to interact following a breakup is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dil Chahta Hai” Aamir Khan’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about friendships which would resonate with everyone. 30 years following the release of a classic Bollywood film about friendships that are long-lasting, it’s an inspiring reminder of an actor whose movies are worth celebrating.
2. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Cricket is a captivating game that has shaped my cousin’s identity. At an early age, I bonded with a cousin that loved to engage in a game with courage. Growing up in Pakistan, he was extremely fond of a game with which he formed a lifelong bond. I grew up to value a cousin that enjoyed playing a game making his dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that loved playing cricket with nostalgia, I loved “Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India”. Released in 2001, Aamir Khan’s movie celebrated the game of cricket in India. In the most athletic role of his career, Khan embodies an impoverished Indian villager that stages a cricket game without fear. Khan uses his body language to capture dedication of a cricket player. For instance, the scene in which Bhuvan wins the cricket game for his village is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Lagaan” one of Aamir Khan’s greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a profound message about determination which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be cricket fans to appreciate the movie. Despite its massive four hour running-time, the film is thoroughly entertaining. An incredible tribute towards an iconic game requiring intense stamina in India, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.
3. Taare Zameen Par
Intellectual disability has shaped my personality. At an early age, my life changed when I was diagnosed with Autism. A devastating condition, Autism affected my abilities to pursue success in education. Autism became a barrier causing me to struggle to cope with a demanding school system. As someone impacted by disabilities that were painful, I identified deeply with “Taare Zameen Par”. Released in 2007, Aamir Khan’s movie did an exceptional job of depicting Dyslexia affecting children in Indian countries. In the most emotional role of his career, Khan embodies a caring art teacher seeking to assist a child with disability that’s a heavy burden to bear. Khan has always had an aptitude for delivering monologues in his movies, and “Taare Zameen Par” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Ram gives Ishaan’s parents a lecture about Dyslexia which they are completely unaware of is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Taare Zameen Par” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about disabilities which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of disabilities causing Indian children to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives making movies which aim to educate the public regarding important issues that audiences appreciate.
4. Dangal
Fathers are strong figures which ensure children’s success rather than failures. As far as I can remember, I’ve always shared a bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he has motivated me to accomplish goals that I am pursuing. Without his words of wisdom, I seriously doubt whether I would have achieved dreams that I am passionate about. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father that I consider inspirational, I adored “Dangal”. Released in 2016, Aamir Khan’s movie did an exceptional job of honouring the true story of a father that guided his daughters to achieve wrestling victories. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Aamir Khan transforms into a real-life wrestler. Aamir Khan always commits every fibre of his being to each role, and his intense commitment is clearly evident in “Dangal”. For instance, the scene in which Mahavir Singh expresses joy after discovering his daughter has won showcases the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Dangal” one of Khan’s greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a poignant message about the roles fathers play shaping lives of children. A touching tribute towards an Indian father that trained his daughters to become wrestlers through guidance, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with a larger-than-life presence whose movies attract a huge audience.
5. 3 Idiots
Academic pressure has often affected my abilities to succeed in school. This pressure first began in high school when I struggled to cope with a challenging math class which was cruel. My dreams to graduate started to fade when I began failing a class that in 12th Grade. Unable to cope with the pressure posed by high school studies, I faced anxiety. As someone that has witnessed academic pressure, I related deeply with “3 Idiots”. Released in 2009, Aamir Khan’s movie offered an engaging depiction of India’s education system affecting college students. In the most comical role of his career, Aamir Khan embodies a college student struggling to cope with a stressful school system. Khan has always had a sharp sense of humour, and it’s evident in “3 Idiots”. For instance, the scene in which Rancho challenges his teacher about the meaning of the word machine showcases the actor’s comic timing. Ultimately, what makes “3 Idiots” one of Khan’s greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about academic pressure which would resonate with everyone. An extraordinary depiction of challenges faced by students in India’s education system, its a strong reminder of an actor with wisdom whose movies have achieved stardom.
6. Rang De Basanti
Aamir Khan has built an image of being an actor whose movies deliver a political message. While Khan’s strong political ideologies have resulted in memorable movies, they have also attracted controversy from audiences that are offended easily. Nevertheless, one movie where Khan’s political message worked is “Rang De Basanti”. Released in 2006, Aamir Khan’s movie did an excellent job of depicting government corruption in India. In the most intense role of his career, Khan embodies a rebellious college student waging a war against the government causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing characters that are angry. A captivating portrait of corruption in the Indian government, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor that has become an icon in Bollywood entertainment.
7. Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries)
Living in a huge metropolitan city can cause loneliness. Several years ago, I faced loneliness when my family immigrated to Toronto. When my family moved to Canada, I faced a dilemma of saying goodbye to friends that had shaped my persona. As someone impacted by loneliness, I identified with “Dhobi Ghat”. Released in 2010, Aamir Khan’s movie examined loneliness affecting individuals in Indian society. In the most complex role of his career, Khan embodies a lonely artist searching for meaning. It’s a subtle role that gave Khan a chance to showcase emotions through strong expressions rather than words. A dazzling depiction of loneliness affecting individuals living in Indian societies, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that thrives making movies raising awareness of social issues that have always given audiences happiness.
8. Earth
Partition is a painful incident in Pakistan’s history that shaped my grandfather’s identity. I remember how my grandfather would recall an incident that caused him to face terror. He would often tell my family stories about partition. As someone recalling grandfather that told stories about his country’s birth, I adored “Earth”. Released in 1998, Aamir Khan’s movie did an extraordinary job of recreating partition in Indian history. In the most complex role of his career, Khan embodies an Indian man that becomes caught in a tragic genocide causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. A powerful depiction of partition shaping India as a nation, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing heroes facing conflicted emotions in movies worthy of celebration.
9. Fanaa
Terrorism is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in Indian movies with respect. Bollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about terrorists that are misunderstood. A painful subject matter, terrorism is a tough topic for movies to tackle. However, in 2006 Aamir Khan effectively tackled the subject associated with stigma in India in his movie “Fanaa”. In the most villainous role of his career, Khan embodies a terrorist that engages in a forbidden romantic affair doomed to face despair. Working alongside Kajol who is also excellent, Khan creates a compelling portrait of terrorism. A terrific depiction of terrorism causing romantic relationships to experience endings which are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that thrives making timeless movies about social issues ignored by the general public.
10. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Shakespeare play in movies today. Arguably the most celebrated author in literature, Shakespeare penned timeless plays. Making a Shakespeare adaptation often poses challenges. However, in 1988 Aamir Khan pulled it off successfully in his movie “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”. A Bollywood version of “Romeo and Juliet”, the movie did a great job of adapting a Shakespeare play in an Indian setting. In the most poetic role of his career, Aamir Khan embodies a lover whose affair faces despair. Its the role that launched the actor’s career making him a superstar in Bollywood. A brilliant tribute to a beloved Shakespeare play about romantic relationships that are misunderstood, it’s a remarkable reminder of an icon in Bollywood whose timeless films I will forever treasure for shaping my childhood.
The Film Buff 
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