Bollywood star Aamir Khan expressed his concerns about the trend of comparing films based solely on box office numbers, labeling it unfortunate.
Transparency in Box Office Numbers
Speaking at the 56th International Film Festival of India, Aamir emphasized the need for transparency regarding a film’s box office performance. He noted that in the U.S., the collections of a film are open for everyone to see. “Really, this should be transparent. What are we hiding? We know how many screens the film is released in,” he stated. He pointed out tools like rent racks that reveal box office collections, questioning why similar transparency isn’t adopted in India.
Shifting Metrics of Success
Reflecting on the evolving criteria for judging a film’s success, Aamir observed, “I don’t know, there should not be secrecy about numbers. I just got a little curious because now for people, that has become almost like an evaluative criterion.” He lamented the shift in focus from enjoying films to comparing them based on financial returns. “Earlier, we never did that. We would compare films based on how much we liked it. You know? But these things come and go. They come and go,” he added.
The Legacy of Good Films
In conclusion, Aamir asserted that what truly matters is the film’s quality, as audiences will ultimately remember a good film regardless of its box office numbers.
A Special Visit with Dharmendra
During the conversation, Aamir also recounted a touching moment when he brought his younger son, Azad, to meet veteran actor Dharmendra. He shared that he had grown very close to Dharmendra over the past year, meeting him about seven to eight times. During one visit, Aamir felt it was essential for Azad to meet the legendary actor whose work he had not yet fully experienced.