Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan emphasized the significance of saying no in his career choices during a recent event, revealing he declined a film by Mahesh Bhatt at a low point in his life. He stated, “At my worst, I had the courage to say no,” highlighting that compromising then could have led to a career filled with regrets. Aamir and Mahesh previously collaborated on the classic “Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin,” but their relationship faced challenges during “Ghulam.” Despite past disagreements, their interactions remain respectful, with Aamir acknowledging Mahesh’s contributions to cinema.
Bollywood icon Aamir Khan recently shared insights on the critical role of declining offers in his career journey, especially during challenging times. At an event on Sunday, Aamir disclosed that he passed on a film by renowned director Mahesh Bhatt when he was going through a difficult period.
“During my lowest moments, I found the strength to say no. This principle guides my actions even today. If I had accepted that film, my career would have been marked by compromises. I received a film offer from Mahesh Bhatt at my lowest, but I wasn’t enthusiastic about it. I had the strength to communicate my decision to Mahesh Bhatt,” Aamir expressed.
Aamir and Mahesh Bhatt had previously teamed up for the beloved romantic film Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991). However, their collaborative efforts did not go much further. Mahesh Bhatt has noted past differences with Aamir, particularly concerning their work on Ghulam (1998), mentioning that their creative visions often clashed.
“Collaborating with Aamir on Ghulam wasn’t a pleasant experience,” Bhatt once commented. “Aamir is caught in his relentless quest for perfection. He thinks life should be as perfect as a written document.” He also reminisced about Aamir spending ten hours perfecting his character’s cap in Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, which ultimately gained a loyal fanbase.
Vikram Bhatt, Mahesh’s brother, also addressed the tensions, indicating that Aamir expected Mahesh to fully devote his life to Ghulam, a request Mahesh found impossible to fulfill.
Regardless, their relationship has remained amicable during public appearances. Their encounters have been mostly respectful, with Aamir acknowledging Mahesh Bhatt’s significant contributions to the film industry.