Aamir Khan’s 2016 masterpiece ‘Dangal’, stands as a landmark achievement in Indian cinema which is celebrated for its widespread critical and commercial success. Centred on the life of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters, the film’s compelling narrative struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Surprisingly, Aamir recently disclosed his initial hesitation about taking up the project, even speculating that Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan might have conspired with the director to sabotage his career. During an interview on the podcast channel Just Too Filmy, Aamir confessed his admiration for the script but admitted to doubts about portraying Mahavir Singh Phogat. He explained that his younger and more athletic look in ‘Dhoom 3’ made him reluctant to transform into a heavier, older character. The actor humorously added, “‘Mujhe laga yeh Salman ya Shah Rukh ke log hain, jo mujhe baahar karna chahte hain.’” However, director Nitesh Tiwari was resolute in having Aamir play the role. When the actor suggested delaying the film by 10-15 years, Tiwari unexpectedly agreed but insisted he wouldn’t proceed without him. Aamir eventually embraced the risk, saying, “The script was so powerful that I couldn’t let it go, even if it meant taking a risk with my career.” ‘Dangal’ not only emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2016 but also shattered records in China, crossing the Rs 2,000-crore milestone globally.
