Aamir Khan Felicitated In Red Sea Film Festival

Aamir Khan was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The event, held in the World Heritage Cultural Area of Al Balad, also recognised British actress Emily Blunt.

American actress Eva Longoria presented the award to Khan, praising his significant contribution to Indian cinema. She expressed her admiration for his work, stating that Aamir has redefined Indian cinema and helped elevate it on the global stage.

Aamir Khan humbly accepted the honour, acknowledging the support of hundreds of creative individuals who have worked with him over the last 30-40 years. He shared that the award is not just his, but belongs to those who helped him along the way. Khan also expressed his love for the region, calling it a “wonderful area” and one he hopes to visit again.

Red Sea Festival Dedicated to Women Filmmakers

The Red Sea Film Foundation President, Jomana Alrasheed, announced that this year’s festival is dedicated to women filmmakers. The festival showcased 122 films from 85 countries, with 37 films directed by women. Seven of the 16 films in the competition section were made by female directors.

Alrasheed also highlighted the festival’s role in promoting Arab cinema on the global stage, noting that it has helped Arab films make their mark at prestigious film festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. American filmmaker and jury president Spike Lee praised the region, declaring that the future of cinema lies in Arabia.

Aamir Khan’s Upcoming Projects

Speaking about his future plans, Aamir Khan revealed that he is working on a sequel to his 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. The sequel will be a comedy, and Khan hopes audiences will enjoy it. He emphasized that his choice of scripts is driven by what excites him. He only works on one film per year, carefully selecting projects that truly capture his interest, regardless of the genre.

Filmmaking Process and Inspirations

Khan also discussed his approach to filmmaking. He stressed the importance of working within a set budget, saying that he does not want investors to take unnecessary risks. He cited actors like Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, and Om Puri as major influences on his own craft, praising their legendary performances.

Supporting Young Talent

When asked about his plans for the next 10 years, Khan said he doesn’t make specific plans for the future. However, he shared that his production house will focus on nurturing young talent in India, as there is no shortage of promising filmmakers in the country. Khan acknowledged the importance of promoting both big-budget films and smaller, independent projects like Laapta Ladies.

Paani Foundation and Satyamev Jayate

Reflecting on his Paani Foundation initiative, Khan explained that the idea stemmed from his television show Satyamev Jayate. He said the foundation began with small-scale projects in Maharashtra and, if successful, plans to expand nationally in the future.

AI and Filmmaking in Saudi Arabia

Asked about the impact of artificial intelligence on cinema, Khan admitted that he doesn’t know much about technology and struggles to operate his own television. Regarding the possibility of filming in Saudi Arabia, he expressed his fondness for the country, stating that if he finds a good story, he would love to make a film there.

Khan concluded by recalling a lesson from his mother, emphasizing that a good actor must have empathy and the ability to understand others’ pain to truly connect with audiences.