Superstar and popularly referred to as ‘Mr Perfectionist’ Aamir Khan has made an explosive revelation about his experience on the sets of Lagaan, India’s Oscar nomination in 2001 and one of Bollywood’s most successful movies this year.

“When I was in the first reading of Lagaan, I was scared that director) Ashutosh Gowariker would drop me,” he said in a recent interview to Rediff. 

“My first reading is always pathetic. During that time I feel the director will ask me to leave,” he added.

Sanjay Dutt can memorise lines in a glance

Aamir, who is also producing Gulshan Kumar’s biopic along with his son Bhushan, revealed that he doesn’t have the penchant to remember his lines. But his good friend Sanjay Dutt does have a sharp memory game. 

“Sanjay Dutt can just see one page, and he will know all the lines. You give him three pages, he will look at them, keep the paper aside, and be ready.”

“I am not like that. I take time. I don’t have a photographic memory. I do rehearsals for three to four months before a film.”

PK most difficult role

The Dil actor also admitted that the Rajkumar Hirani filmwas the most challenging role of his career.

“There is a scene in PK that ‘God hung himself’ and I have to react — ‘What? When? Now who will help me find my remote?’ It was a funny scene, but I had to divorce myself from the humour and I had to do it sincerely.”

“That was difficult.”

Used to travel by rickshaw

The Dangal actor was also like the rest of us when he started off in Bollywood. He didn’t have a car despite the success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and would take the number 11 bus.

“People would just come everywhere to see me; I couldn’t walk on the road. I did a successful film, but I didn’t have a car. I used to travel by autorickshaw or bus, but after a point, I couldn’t.”

“So I used to ask my uncle can I borrow your car, I have to go somewhere and there are people everywhere I go.”

Rs 1,000/month for first film

Looks like actors weren’t paid enough to afford cars back then either.

“I got paid 1,000 rupees a month. The film went on for a year-and-a-half. Actually, almost 11 months, so I made 11,000 rupees for my first movie.”

Rejected Sanjay Dutt’s biopic

“He (Rajkumar Hirani) wanted me to play Duttsaab‘s role. Duttsaab‘s role is a fabulous role.”

“As an actor, I told Raju that Sanju’s role had won my heart.”

“In this film I can’t do any other role apart from Sanjay Dutt’s, which I can’t do because Ranbir (Kapoor) is doing (it). So don’t offer me any other role.”

But he has words of encouragement for Ranbir. “I am sure Ranbir has done it really well. He is a fantastic actor. I can’t wait to see the movie.”

Image: Instagram/Katrina Kaif