As the film Mela completes 25 years since its 2000 release, superstar Aamir Khan has publicly responded to the grave accusations made by his brother, Faissal Khan. Faissal recently alleged that Aamir had him locked inside his Mumbai residence for over a year, citing schizophrenia as the reason. Aamir's remarks bring renewed focus to their strained relationship and the fate of the film that was intended to reboot Faissal's career.
"Kya Karein? That Is My Destiny": Aamir's Emotional Response
In a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Aamir Khan addressed his brother's claims with a tone of resignation. "Kya karein? That is my destiny," he stated. "You can fight the world, but how can you fight your own family?" This poignant comment comes after Faissal Khan severed ties with Aamir and the rest of the family last year, levelling multiple allegations against them.
Following Faissal's initial claims, Aamir and his family had issued an official statement, describing his remarks as "hurtful". They maintained that all decisions regarding Faissal were made collectively by the family, based on professional medical advice.
The Shadow of 'Mela': A Film's Failure and Personal Pain
While speaking on the controversy, Aamir also reflected on Mela, the 2000 film he produced specifically to relaunch his brother Faissal's acting career. The actor candidly admitted that the movie's commercial and critical failure deeply affected him.
"I was obviously disappointed by its failure to achieve its potential," Aamir said. "Every film I do means a lot to me. The failure of Mela definitely made a difference to me. It was hard on Faissal, but it was hard on me as well. I'm not comfortable with the idea of any of my films not realising their full potential. The entire team had worked very hard. We were all disappointed."
Mela performed poorly at the box office, and its director, Dharmesh Darshan, later publicly held Aamir Khan responsible for the film's fate. Faissal's allegations that Aamir deliberately sabotaged his prospects have resurfaced amidst this fresh scrutiny.
From 'Raja Hindustani' High to 'Mela' Misfire
The history between Aamir Khan and director Dharmesh Darshan adds context to the Mela controversy. The duo first collaborated on the 1996 blockbuster Raja Hindustani. Starring Karisma Kapoor, the film was made on a modest budget of Rs 5.75 crore and earned a massive Rs 76.34 crore, solidifying Aamir's stardom.
Buoyed by this success, they planned Mela the same year. For Aamir, the project had a personal mission: to give his brother Faissal Khan a second chance after his 1994 debut film Madhosh failed to make an impact.
Often described as a loose adaptation of the classic Sholay, with Aamir's role compared to Dharmendra's Veeru and Faissal's to Amitabh Bachchan's Jai, Mela faced multiple production delays. Both Dharmesh Darshan and Faissal Khan have previously alleged that Aamir's interference contributed to the film's troubled making.
As Mela marks its 25th anniversary, the legacy of the film remains inextricably linked to the painful and public fracture within the Khan family, with Aamir's latest statements offering a glimpse into his perspective on this enduring personal and professional saga.
