Aamir Khan recently opened up about his reluctance to attend film screenings, candidly admitting that he struggles to pretend when he dislikes a movie. The actor explained that offering harsh feedback just days before a film's release is often futile because filmmakers lack sufficient time to implement major changes.
Aamir's Viewing Habits and Honesty
During a masterclass at Whistling Woods International's Screen Academy, Aamir revealed, "I see very few films, which is very odd. But that's been the case since my childhood. I've never been a watcher. However, I read a lot, so that kind of compensates." He elaborated on his hesitation to attend preview screenings, stating, "One of the reasons I don't see films is I don't know how to lie. If someone asks me how the film is, I'll say, 'Bahut bakwas thi yaar. Pakk gaya main.' It'll show on my face."
Timing of Feedback
Aamir noted that filmmakers often invite colleagues to screenings only a week before release, leaving little room for meaningful input. "They call you a week before the release. You can't even contribute anything at the last minute. It'd only ruin their sleep," he remarked.
Javed Akhtar's Diplomatic Advice
The actor shared a humorous piece of advice from veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar. Recalling the anecdote, Aamir said Javed suggested using the phrase "You've outdone yourself" when responding diplomatically to a bad film. "That implies you made such bad films, you've even outdone yourself there. It can mean anything," Aamir joked.
Advice for Filmmakers
Aamir urged young filmmakers to remain open-minded during test screenings and avoid becoming defensive when audiences share criticism. According to him, viewers stop being honest the moment they feel their opinions are being resisted. He acknowledged that criticism can be difficult to hear but stressed that accepting it is essential for improving a film before release.
Upcoming Projects
On the work front, Aamir was last seen in 'Sitaare Zameen Par'. He is now preparing for the sequel to '3 Idiots', which is expected to reunite him with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. The project is currently in pre-production, with the original trio — Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi — reportedly set to return for the much-awaited sequel.
