The cinematic world rarely witnesses a stumble from an artist meticulously associated with perfection. For over two decades, Aamir Khan, often dubbed “Mr. Perfectionist” of Bollywood, enjoyed an almost unblemished record at the box office, delivering critical and commercial triumphs one after another. Then came 2018’s Thugs of Hindostan. Despite a monumental opening day collection, soaring past the ₹50 crore mark, the film quickly sank, becoming a colossal disappointment that left audiences and even its star utterly disillusioned. It was a shockwave that reverberated through the industry and among his devoted fanbase.
The Untold Struggle: Aamir Khan on Thugs of Hindostan’s Failed Vision
In candid recent revelations, Aamir Khan openly shared his profound unhappiness with how Thugs of Hindostan ultimately materialized. He detailed his extensive efforts, spanning nearly eight months, to convince producer Aditya Chopra and director Vijay Krishna Acharya (fondly known as Victor) that the film desperately needed significant revisions before its theatrical release. His intuition, sadly, proved to be painfully accurate. The finished product, in his own words, was “really bad,” a far cry from the grand adventure initially envisioned.
Casting Challenges: The Quest for Zafira
One of the many behind-the-scenes dramas involved the arduous casting process for the pivotal role of Zafira. Aamir revealed that securing a leading lady proved surprisingly difficult. Many prominent actresses, including industry stalwarts like Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Shraddha Kapoor, were approached for the part, only to turn it down. This widespread refusal, Aamir conjectured, might have stemmed from a perceived weakness in the character’s writing. Ultimately, the role went to Fatima Sana Shaikh, who had previously shared the screen with Aamir in the critically acclaimed blockbuster Dangal, where she portrayed his daughter, Geeta Phogat.
The Dangal Dilemma: Fatima Sana Shaikh’s Casting Controversy
The casting of Fatima Sana Shaikh immediately sparked a unique debate among the filmmakers. Director Vijay Krishna Acharya, in particular, harbored reservations. The core concern revolved around the drastic shift in their on-screen relationship: from father and daughter in Dangal to potential lovers in Thugs of Hindostan. This apprehension led to a crucial decision: to completely excise any romantic storyline between Aamir Khan’s character and Fatima’s Zafira, fearing audience rejection due to the recent and impactful father-daughter dynamic from their previous outing.
Aamir Khan’s Bold Defense: Audience Intelligence and Actor Versatility
Aamir Khan, however, vehemently disagreed with this cautious approach. In an interview with The Lallantop, he passionately articulated his perspective, dismissing the notion that audiences would be confused or offended. “Main asal mein thode uska baap hun, aur na asal mein main uska boyfriend hun. Hum log film bana rahe hain bhai (I am neither her father in real life, nor her boyfriend in real life. We are making a movie),” he asserted with his characteristic bluntness. To further bolster his argument, he cited historical examples from Indian cinema, highlighting how legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Waheeda Rehman flawlessly transitioned between playing mother and son to portraying lovers in different films, without causing audience uproar. “Audience is not this stupid that they will think that he is the actual father. We are underestimating our audience if we say that,” he firmly concluded, championing the intelligence of the movie-going public.
A Clash of Visions: The Unraveling of a Script
Beyond the casting debate, Aamir Khan recounted a deeper, more troubling issue with Thugs of Hindostan: its constantly evolving and ultimately flawed script. He revealed that the original narrative underwent continuous modifications, straying significantly from its initial premise. He vividly recalled a shocking phone call from Aditya Chopra after the first cut was assembled, wherein the producer expressed immense satisfaction, proclaiming, “I have seen the first cut and it is a brilliant film. You have no idea what you have made.” Yet, upon his own viewing, Aamir was aghast. “I told them I didn’t understand it and at first, they thought I was joking. I told them this won’t work for a day,” he confessed.
Structural Flaws and Missed Opportunities
The internal conflict within Yash Raj Films intensified as Aamir battled for structural changes over several months. He argued relentlessly that the film was “structurally incorrect,” highlighting a crucial deviation from the original plot: Amitabh Bachchan’s character, the formidable Khudabaksh, was initially slated to die during the film’s intermission. This pivotal plot point, however, was altered, fundamentally reshaping the narrative arc. Despite Aamir’s persistent arguments, Director Vijay Krishna Acharya and Producer Aditya Chopra remained convinced of their version, asserting their final creative authority. Even the film’s title, Thugs of Hindostan, struck Aamir as “extremely misleading,” though he understood Aditya Chopra’s aspiration to create a grand, swashbuckling saga akin to the globally renowned Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Ultimately, the film’s journey from a promising concept to a critical and commercial failure serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate and often challenging alchemy of filmmaking, even for the most seasoned creators.
