Aamir Khan made his Bollywood debut as the main lead in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), produced by his uncle, Nasir Hussain. But did you know that veteran actor Makarand Deshpande, who had already established himself in theatre, was shocked when he learned that Aamir was playing the lead role? His reaction was laughter, not out of mockery but pure surprise.
Makarand Deshpande’s Reaction to Aamir Khan as a Hero
In a recent interview with Kunickaa Sadanand, Makarand Deshpande opened up about his first reaction to Aamir Khan being cast as a lead actor. He shared that Aamir worked backstage in theatre while Makarand played lead roles in plays. So, when he met Aamir on the film’s set, he was taken aback.
Makarand recalled, “Aamir was working backstage when he got the lead role in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. I used to play the lead in theatre, so I never imagined he would become a hero. When I met Nasir Hussain Sahab and came out, I saw Aamir. I asked him, ‘What are you doing here?’ He said, ‘I have a role in the film.’ I casually asked, ‘Oh, what role?’ and he replied, ‘I am the hero.’ I burst into laughter.”
He further explained, “I laughed so much and asked him again, ‘You are the hero?’ But it wasn’t to put him down. Aamir was always sincere and lowkey, so it never occurred to me that he would take center stage.”
Aamir Khan’s Dedication on the Sets of Baazi
Kunickaa Sadanand, who worked with Aamir in Baazi, also shared an interesting story about his dedication to acting. She revealed that Aamir was a perfectionist even back then.
She said, “I worked with him in Baazi. Even on that set, he was always eager to improve his skills. We were rehearsing a scene on the road, and a traffic jam happened. But we had to rehearse about 15 times because Aamir insisted on perfecting it. That’s how committed he was.”
Aamir Khan’s Theatre Days – From Backstage to Stardom
Aamir Khan’s journey to success was not instant. Actor Sujata Mehta, who had seen his early days in theatre, recalled how he started from scratch and worked his way up. She shared how he even served water to the audience during plays.
She said, “When I was performing Chitkar, Aamir was still getting trained. He worked backstage, helped with props, and even served water to the audience. He truly started from scratch and climbed his way to the top.”
Final Thoughts
Aamir Khan’s journey from working backstage in theatre to becoming one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars is truly inspiring. His sincerity and hard work set him apart even in his early days. While Makarand Deshpande’s initial reaction to Aamir as a hero was laughter, it’s clear now that Aamir proved himself with sheer dedication and talent.
His story is a reminder that persistence and passion can turn the most unexpected individuals into legends!
