Aamir Khan reveals Rajkumar Hirani convinced him to play 18-year-old Rancho in 3 Idiots with a single thought – Here’s how

Aamir Khan needs no introductions. The actor – who is rightly known as Bollywood’s Mr Perfectionist, has been entertaining the audience for over three decades now. He has been part of some amazing hits like Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Ghajini, Dangal, 3 Idiots, Dhoom 3, Rang De Basanti and more. However, did you know he initially didn’t want to star in one of the above-mentioned films?

While interacting with Kapil Sharma on the latter’s Netflix show, Aamir revealed he wasn’t keen on playing Ranchhoddas Shamaldas Chanchad aka Rancho in Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots. Read on to know why he was sceptical about it and how Rajkumar Hirani convinced Aamir Khan to say yes to the role.

On rejecting Bhagat Singh

While on The Great Indian Kapil Show, Aamir Khan revealed why he opted out of playing Bhagat Singh on the big screen. The ‘Dangal’ actor said, “Bhagat Singh ji is a very important historical figure. He was a unique human being. What he did at the age of 22-23, we can’t even think about it. His courage. He was fearless. That’s a very rare quality. Its beauty was that you see a young 23-year-old on the witness stand, whose moustache has not sprouted, making such big statements. If I stood there, I was already turning 40 at the time, it wouldn’t have looked good. That quality of a young guy saying such things won’t come to me. That’s why I didn’t do it.”

Aamir Khan on Rajkumar Hirani convincing him to say yes to 3 Idiots

In the same conversation, Aamir Khan also revealed why he agreed to play an 18-year-old in Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots. He said, “I wasn’t even doing 3 Idiots because I thought the public would laugh at me as I was turning 44 and I am playing the role of an 18-year-old boy. It would be weird. I told Raju to take three youngsters but he was after me. I hadn’t worked with Raju till then. I was a big fan but the story he brought me, I was like how will I play this young character.”

The actor continued, “There is my line in the film, ‘Don’t chase success, instead be capable, success will follow you.’ This was Raju’s main thought behind the film. He told me, ‘You have done films that could have never been a hit. For example, you did Taare Zameen Par, Lagaan… all these films were flops on the announcement. Then why did you do these films? You didn’t do them thinking you will get success. It was your passion, so you did it. So, success followed you. Your entire career has been about this. So, if you say this line, people will believe it.’ Then I thought Raju was a great director. I don’t sign a film until I am sure, but this was the first time I went blindfolded because of him.”

During the conversation, Khan also revealed how he took inspiration to play Rancho from his nephew and AR Murugadoss. The reason for choosing the latter was the Ghajini director’s unfiltered approach towards people.

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