Aamir Khan faced the ire for sharing a personal conversation he had with wife Kiran Rao, on the topic of intolerance in the country. “I think somewhere I should not have shared what I spoke privately, on a public platform. Kiran made me realise that in no uncertain terms,” starts off Aamir Khan jokingly while he takes his position for an interview. The perfectionist Khan and the rest of the cast and crew were gathered on the occasion of their film ‘Rang De Basanti’ (‘RDB’) completing 10 years this Republic Day. ‘RDB’ had released in 2006.
The actor clarifies that his statement was wrongly presented. Aamir says, “I don’t know from where it came that I am going to leave the country and that I said India is an intolerant country. I never said that. While a few people understood my point, some others are upset with me. Had I been in their place, I would also be upset because they were told something that is not true. They were told that Aamir Khan wants to leave the country. It was a misunderstanding; to some level even the media is responsible for this.” Aamir goes on to add that there is a feeling of negativity,
“Everywhere there are negative and positive people and the negative people try to spread negativity and separate everyone.
India is a huge country with different languages, culture and history, but still it is so vibrant and diverse. These are the strengths of our country and I feel hurt when someone tries to divide us. I raised my voice to not make the country weak.”
Aamir Khan took the opportunity to clear his stand, once and for all. The intolerance debate had snowballed into a huge controversy, and knowing the star power that he holds, Aamir perhaps would be aware the impact it could have on the entire country.
“I love my country and I request all the negative people with folded hands to not divide us.
Only the wrong things were conveyed and I want to clearly tell everyone that I am born here and will die here. Kiran and I have never thought about leaving the country. In fact when I am out of the country, I cannot stay away for more than two weeks. I get homesick and want to be back at the earliest,” says the ex-Incredible India brand ambassador.
There were a lot of jokes cracked on Aamir Khan’s expense and the actor also went through social media trial. At the end of it all, Aamir expresses that he was extremely hurt with everything that had transpired, “I am hurt because others have been hurt. People don’t know what I have said. A misunderstanding has been created and as I said earlier, I would blame the media a bit, because my statements were twisted. I would request the media not to do that.”
Decked in all black and blue, Aamir also adds that his actions are a representation of his love for the country, “My saying that I am a patriotic person will make no difference, but see my actions. Look at the kind of films I have done and the show that I do. I love my country and hence I take time out to do ‘Satyamev Jayate’. This gives me happiness because I am doing my bit for nation building, something positive, and since the past 25 years.”
Not wanting to get into another controversy or fall a pray to one more skewed statement, Aamir doesn’t go back on raking up even his past. “I come from a family where my great grandfather, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, has fought for the freedom of the country. So there is no question of me loving my country less or calling someone else a traitor,” concludes Aamir, digging up his rich family history and patriotism.
Before leaving, Aamir Khan hopes that with this candid chat, the entire intolerance controversy including him and Kiran Rao will be put to rest forever.
In pictures: Rang De Basanti cast and crew weaving their magic
