Aamir Khan says he may quit acting the day he takes up direction consciously

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan opened up about his future plans, revealing that the day he decides to take up direction seriously, he will likely step away from acting. The revelation came during the final "Fireside Chat" at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on 27 November, the penultimate day of the nine-day event.

Titled "The Narrative Architect of Social Transformation and Inclusivity," Aamir entered a fully-packed Kala Academy and, over the course of 90 minutes, shared insights about himself and his career. He said, "I like to surprise my audience and myself", "I am a complete film personality, not an activist", and "The day I consciously decide to take up direction, I'll probably stop acting."

The Chat, moderated by film critic B Rangan, began with a tribute to Bollywood icon Dharmendra, who passed away recently.

Reflecting on the late actor, Aamir said, "I grew up watching Dharamji. Though hailed as the He-Man of Indian cinema, he was equally brilliant in all genres including romance, comedy, and drama; an actor of remarkable range and presence. He was a gentle giant and finest actor. His mastery of language, innate dignity, and extraordinary range as an artist made him an institution in himself. His passing is a profound personal and artistic loss."

Considered Bollywood's 'Mr Perfectionist,' Aamir outlined how his journey has always been rooted in a lifelong love for stories. He recalled being captivated by tales his grandmother narrated and the magic of the radio programme Hawa Mahal.

He said, "I've always been drawn to stories. They were a big part of my childhood and that fascination has guided every choice I've made as an actor."

The actor stressed that his approach to cinema has always been instinctive, not calculative. "I can't repeat myself. Once I've done a certain kind of film, I want to move on. I look for stories that feel fresh, unique, and creatively exciting."

Aamir said his film choices are guided purely by instinct. "I never select a film thinking about which social topic to address next. I only look for scripts that excite me. If a great script carries a social message, that is a bonus, not the starting point."

While many in the industry try to predict trends, shifting between action, comedy, or whatever is performing at the box office, Aamir said he has never worked that way.

"I choose films purely based on my emotional excitement for the story even if it goes completely against the norm. Most of my decisions have been impractical by industry standards. When we made Lagaan, even Javed Akhtar Saab advised us not to. By all logic, I shouldn't have become a star, I broke every rule. But somehow, those unconventional choices connected with people and I'm deeply grateful," he said.

On socially resonant themes in his films, Aamir said, "It may seem intentional but it wasn't. Those stories came to me naturally. Perhaps it's the kind of material I connect with and perhaps I've been fortunate to receive exceptional scripts."

He credited the writers of his landmark films. "Whether it's Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, Dangal, or Laapataa Ladies, the foundation was laid by the writers. They created the worlds and the characters, I simply gravitated toward scripts that moved me."

Aamir acknowledged that while many of his films address social issues, it "happened organically, not by design."

He said, "I am a complete film personality, not an activist. My primary objective is to entertain my audience."

The actor also shared his upcoming plans. "Once I complete the current slate of projects I've produced, Lahore 1947, Happy Patel, and a few others, the work on all of them will wrap in the next few months. After that, I'm shifting my focus entirely back to acting from production."

He added, "From here on, any script I hear will be only for me as an actor. It's a significant shift, but the right time to dedicate myself fully to acting again. I'm listening to new scripts now. Several have excited me, two or three in particular, but I'm still in the process of choosing."

When asked how he would approach a filmmaker wanting to pitch a project, Aamir said, "They can simply reach out to my manager and request time for a narration or send the script across. Sometimes I prefer reading a script, and sometimes I prefer hearing it, so either approach works."

He wrapped up the Chat by reflecting on his directorial journey. "Direction is actually my big love. Filmmaking is what I enjoy the most. I did direct once but that was more out of a crisis, so it doesn't really count as a planned move. But the day I consciously decide to take up direction, I'll probably stop acting, because it will consume me completely. That's why I'm delaying that decision for now."