He is often called a perfectionist because of his zeal to make outstanding films. From the initial concept of a film to its post-production, he keeps an eye on every minute detail. He is none other than the actor, Aamir Khan. In Bollywood, he has reigned supreme ever since his debut in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). Many people know him as an actor capable of performing any role but his commercial sense for the films is what makes him successful at the box office.
Aamir does not have Hrithik’s height or Shahrukh’s charm but he has the power to captivate audiences with his performance. But more importantly, it is his ability to draw the audiences, to large numbers in theatres.
The much-coveted 100, 200 and 300 crore clubs chased by actors now days were none existent 12 years ago. However, Aamir was the one who changed the game for the Hindi Film Industry, forever.
Though the film industry has evolved more now and many films have entered these clubs, they all were the creation of Aamir alone. He became the first star to breach those numbers. These records will forever stay with him, but which are those films through which he formed a new benchmark for Bollywood? Let’s begin.
1. Ghajini
Released in 2008, Ghajini was a remake of the South Indian film of the same name. A.R. Murugadoss had helmed the film, which was also the debut of Asin in Bollywood. Upon, release the film broke records at the box office. Aamir’s performance as a man suffering from short term memory loss and looking to avenge the murder of his lover was the highlight of this film. Khan transformed himself into a mean machine and built an impressive physique for the film.
Ghajini was the film that crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office for the first time. Thus, history got created and the Rs 100 crore club instantly became a new benchmark for Hindi films to touch. It was the start of the game of numbers in Bollywood.
2. 3 Idiots
In 2009, Aamir broke not only his own record but also created a new one. With Rajkumar Hirani’s film, Aamir broke the Rs 200 crore record at the box office. Although, the film was outstanding on its own, however, the audience’s faith in Aamir doing a good film further worked for it.
The film was marketed well, with Aamir doing everything in his power to push the boundaries. When it was released, people’s faith in Aamir surpassed expectations as the film turned out to be one of the best films of the Hindi cinema.
It is said that the audience and the content is the king. This was proved with 3 Idiots and Khan’s established the Rs 200 crore club. At the time, the film became the highest-grossing Bollywood film ever.
This record was expected to be broken. Several actors tried, most notably Salman Khan but ultimately it was Aamir again who broke this after 5 years.
4. Ok
Can an actor continue to break his own records? Yes, if he is Aamir Khan. 2014 saw Khan again working with the director, Rajkumar Hirani. Playing the role of an alien on earth, PK was a satire.
The film had an unusual story, just like any other Rajkumar Hirani film. It was a comedy and its subject matter was deemed controversial at the time. Since the film was a satire on false religious beliefs, it got into a controversy as expected, which however worked in its favor.
PK made everyone’s funny bone tickle and its entertaining story drew audiences in large numbers. The Aamir-Hirani duo was already a hit, but this film further cemented their dominance at the box office.
It broke Aamir’s record of Rs 200 crore club but further created the Rs 300 crore club. Again, becoming the first film to touch a new milestone. Thus, Aamir cemented himself as the king of the box office. The audience had already an inherent trust in him by now, which he duly paid off.
Ok also became the highest-grossing Bollywood film at that time. Though, it was usurped in 2016, with none other than Aamir Khan himself doing this with his film ‘Dangal’. Collecting a net of Rs 345 crore at the box office, it surpassed PK.
Currently, Aamir’s Dangal is the Highest-Grossing Bollywood and Indian film of all time. It just proves one thing, no matter what Aamir is bound to challenge the existing norms and break them.
His last film, Thugs Of Hindostan might have bombed at the box office, but remember this is Aamir. He is next shooting for Laal Singh Chaddha, a remake of Forrest Gump. Expectations are high with the film and if it turns out to be a successful remake of the English film, expect records to be broken again.
Even if Aamir fails to break any record with Laal Singh Chaddha, his sole record of creating these clubs will remain forever. A box king truly who’ll forever remain the game changer of Bollywood.