Aamir penned a love letter in blood; his first wedding cost just ₹10; his initial pay was ₹1,000

Aamir Khan is back in the news, and this time, it’s not just for his films. Over the years, he has captivated audiences with a diverse range of movies while seamlessly blending themes of education, gender equality and positivity into his storytelling. With a career spanning over three decades, Aamir has earned four National Awards, cementing his legacy in Indian cinema.

His journey in the industry began as a child actor, eventually making his debut as a lead with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. The film’s makers gave Aamir a dream launch, but he took a unique approach to promoting it. He created an anonymous poster with the intriguing tagline: Who is Aamir Khan? Ask the girl next door. 

To ensure it grabbed attention, Aamir personally went around Mumbai pasting these posters on auto-rickshaws. However, he was deeply anxious about the film’s reception. “I was scared about how it would perform. We were putting up posters ourselves, and some people even chased us away. When they asked who the hero was and heard my name, their next question was—Who is Aamir Khan?”

But after his debut, there was no looking back. From Lagaan, 3 Idiots, PK and Dangal to Raja Hindustani, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Ishq, Mann, Ghulam, Rang De Basanti, Fanaa, Ghajini and Secret Superstar, Aamir delivered one milestone film after another.

Aamir played a crucial role in taking Indian cinema to a global audience. His transition from a romantic hero to a box-office powerhouse was driven by sheer hard work. His fee for his first film was just Rs 1,000. But over the years, he evolved into not just an actor but also a screenwriter, director and producer.

When it comes to earnings, the numbers soared into crores. For Dangal, Aamir earned a staggering Rs 275 crore. Initially, he was paid Rs 35 crore, but his profit-sharing deal, including satellite rights and international revenue, added another Rs 240 crore, taking his total earnings from the film to Rs 275 crore.

Many of his films remain top-grossing titles overseas, particularly in China. It all began with Lagaan, which was made on a budget of Rs 25 crore but grossed Rs 66 crore. The film, produced under Aamir Khan Productions, won eight National Awards, including Best Film.

One of his most discussed films was Taare Zameen Par, which he starred in and also produced. The film won multiple National Awards, including Best Film. His next blockbuster was PK, which was made on a budget of Rs 122 crore but amassed Rs 800 crore worldwide. It remains one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

The biggest hit of Aamir’s career, however, was Dangal (2016). Made for Rs 70 crore, it grossed an astounding RS 2,200 crore worldwide. It remains the only Indian film to cross Rs 2,000 crore globally, with China being its biggest market.

Aamir was also behind Secret Superstar, another massive box-office success. Made on a modest budget of Rs 15 crore, the film earned Rs 912 crore worldwide. While its initial release in India across 1,800 screens didn’t generate much buzz, it became a blockbuster after its release in China in January 2018 across 11,000 screens.

At the time, revenue-sharing deals in China were largely reserved for Hollywood films, where a percentage of profits went to the production company. Secret Superstar became only the second Indian film to secure such a deal—after Dangal (2016). While Dangal had a 12.5% revenue share, Secret Superstar secured twice that amount—25%.

The film shattered multiple records: it was the highest-grossing film of 2017, ranked sixth among the highest-grossing Hindi films ever, second among Indian films in overseas earnings, and was also the second-highest-grossing non-English film in China.

Personal life in the spotlight
Alongside his films, Aamir’s personal life has often made headlines. He first married Reena Dutta in 1986 when he was 21 and she was 19. They were neighbours who spent hours gazing at each other through their windows. Eventually, Aamir mustered the courage to confess his love, but Reena initially rejected him. He persisted, even writing her a letter in his own blood—an act that backfired as she found it distasteful. Realising his approach was flawed, Aamir changed tactics, and Reena finally reciprocated his feelings as she realised it was not passing fancy. They got married in a simple registered ceremony, spending just Rs 10 in total. “We took a bus after buying 50-paise tickets, got off at the stop, and walked to the registrar’s office. The remaining money was spent on stamp papers,” Aamir once recalled.

Reena had a small role in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, but after 16 years of marriage, they parted ways. They have two children—Junaid and Ira.

In 2005, Aamir married filmmaker and producer Kiran Rao, whom he met on the sets of Lagaan, where she was an assistant director. While their acquaintance began there, they grew closer while working together on advertisements directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. After 16 years of marriage, they announced their separation but continue to co-parent their son Azad Rao Khan.

Aamir maintains a respectful and amicable relationship with both of his ex-wives. “The time I spent with them was one of the most beautiful phases of my life. Just because we separated doesn’t mean we lost our love and respect for each other.”

Recently, there have been speculations that Aamir has found love again. Reports claimed he was in a relationship with a woman from Bengaluru who is also a mother. Some even suggested they were already living together. Aamir did not comment on these rumours at that time.

However, at a recent press conference held on his birthday, he officially introduced his new partner Gauri Spratt, a Bengaluru native currently working with Aamir Khan Productions. Aamir and Gauri, along with her son, are now living together in Mumbai. 

Interestingly, Aamir and Gauri first met 25 years ago but lost touch due to their respective commitments. They reconnected two years ago, leading to this new chapter in Aamir’s life.

When asked about marriage, Aamir responded candidly: "I don't know at the age of 60, mujhe shaadi shobha deti hai ki nahi (I don't know whether marriage suits me at this age). My kids are very happy. I am very fortunate to have such great relationships with my ex-wives”

Earlier, in a podcast with Rhea Chakraborty, Aamir openly admitted that he does not like living alone and needs a partner.