Aamir Khan Birthday Special: From Rancho To Mahavir Singh, 5 Iconic Roles Played By Mr. Perfectionist

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is a 2001 Hindi-language epic period sports drama written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian films, it stars Aamir Khan as Bhuvan, a courageous villager who leads his community in a cricket match against British colonial rulers, an Oscar-nominated and defining role in his career.

In Rang De Basanti (2006), Aamir Khan played Daljit "DJ" Singh, delivering an impactful performance in a story that blends youth, patriotism, and social activism. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and released on Republic Day, the film became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a generation of Indian youth to engage with social and political issues.

In 3 Idiots (2009), Aamir Khan played Rancho, delivering a lighthearted yet profound portrayal of a college student. The film, a Hindi-language coming-of-age satirical comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani and loosely adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone, became a global cultural phenomenon. It critiques the intense academic and social pressures of the Indian education system, and Rancho remains one of Aamir Khan’s most beloved and iconic characters.

In PK (2014), Aamir Khan played an alien who sees the world with a childlike curiosity, delivering a performance loved by both critics and audiences. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the story follows the alien as he lands on Earth and loses his communication device, leading him to question religious beliefs and superstitions in a simple, thought-provoking way. The film also stars Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, and Sushant Singh Rajput. PK was the first Indian film to earn over ₹7 billion worldwide and remains one of the highest-grossing Hindi films.

In Dangal (2016), Aamir Khan portrayed Mahavir Singh Phogat, a role that required intense physical transformation and showcased a father’s relentless dedication to his daughters’ wrestling careers. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the biographical sports drama tells the true story of Phogat, who trains his daughters Geeta and Babita to become world-class wrestlers. The film went on to become the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide, earning widespread critical and commercial acclaim.