Aamir Khan has always been known to be an unconventional actor. Here are 5 films that are a proof of his out-of-the-box career choices:
1) 1947 Earth: Aamir Khan starred in this 1999 movie set during the Partition of India, while his contemporaries were busy establishing themselves as romantic heroes. Aamir plays the role of Dil Navaz, a Muslim man who sells ice-candy. His character is infatuated with Shanta, the maid (played by Nandita Das) who ultimately falls in love with Hassan. He plays his character with a certain degree of charm and immaturity, which gradually changes to one seeking violence and revenge. The last scene where he is peacefully smoking, as a mob enters a house where Shanta was seeking shelter to force her out stood out for me.
2) Sarfarosh: Hindi films are always known to glorify police brutality. It is those scenes where the police take law in their own hands, that are met with the largest number of 'seetis' and 'taalis'. In this movie, however, though Aamir Khan plays a police officer who has joined the force partly to seek revenge for the wrongdoings to his family, he plays it with a certain degree of sincerity and vulnerability. He is skilled and able, yet he makes mistakes while judging whom to trust. Aamir projects to us the image of a man who is both relatable and likeable.
3) Dil Chahta Hai: Farhan Akhtar won a National Award for the screenplay of this 2001 coming-of- age drama. Aamir Khan plays the role of a carefree young man in this movie, whose irresponsible and insensitive remarks often hurt others. He believes there's no such thing as love, until he himself falls in love with Shalini (played by Preity Zinta) and realizes the importance of responsibility and ambition in life.
4) Taare Zameen Par: Aamir Khan directed and starred in this 2007 movie that takes a very unconventional yet realistic look at the Indian education system and parenting. No Indian movie probably was made on this subject before, and even if it was, it wasn't tackled as effectively and beautifully. It deals with the problems of a dyslexic child, Ishaan, as he struggles to be understood by his parents and how his new art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh (played by Aamir Khan) helped him overcome his difficulty. This movie portrayed how love, care and sympathy is so essential while bringing up a child, as opposed to the traditional Indian parenting. It portrayed a heart-warming relationship between a teacher and a student, and Aamir played this role with a great degree of sensitivity.
5) Dangal: Aamir dared to do what many superstars couldn't – he played the role of an overweight, middle-aged former wrestler and a father to four daughters. Instead of occupying unnecessary screen time, he let the new actors shine – namely Sanya Malhotra (Babita Phogat) and Fatima Sana Shaikh (Geeta Phogat). He even went through the entire process of weight gain and loss, which otherwise could have been done much easily with the use of prosthetics. This just shows the actor's dedication to his craft.