A Padama Shri recipient India's highest civilian award Aamir Khan was born on 14 March 1965 in Mumbai, India to a family of film directors. His father Tahir Hussain is a producer of Hindi movies.His younger brother Faisal Khan has tried his hand at acting, though without any success. Amir Khan began his acting career as a child actor in movies such as 'Yaadon Ki Baraat' in1973, and 'Madhosh' (1974). His first movie as an adult was the hard hitting and dark 'Holi' (1984) directed by well known director Ketan Mehta. Mehta was to direct Khan again in 'Mangal Pandey - The Rising' (2005).
But the year of reckoning for Khan has to be 1988, when he acted as the leading man for the first time in 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak'. Khan's performance in this movie not only earned him rave reviews and colossal female fan following in India, but also established him as a 'young heart throb'. Early 90's saw many of his movies receive mixed reactions at the box office. However, his most successful films after Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak include 'Dil' (1990), 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander' (1992), 'Rangeela' (1995) and 'Raja Hindustani' (1996). Khan has also acted in many critically acclaimed movies such as 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke' (1993), for which he wrote the screenplay as well, 'Ghulam' (1998) that was a huge commercial hit, as 'Ice Candy Man' in Deepa Mehta's offbeat movie 'Earth-1947' (1998) and in the quintessential cop drama 'Sarfarosh' (1999).
2001 was again a year of reckoning and hyperactive activity and global acclaim for Khan. Two of his best films 'Lagaan' that was also nominated for the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film besides other numerous awards, and 'Dil Chahta Hai' a story about three friends in Urban India were resounding successes. Khan proved that if he could act the role of a poor farmer to perfection, he could also perfect the act of a super cool dude! And for three years Khan did not act in any movies. He came back with a bang in 2005 with 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising' that was declared the biggest flop of the year, and in 2006 he acted in 'Rang De Basanti' a movie that takes a look at patriotism and corruption in Urban and growing India. The movie was the biggest hit of the year and was selected as India's official entry to the Oscars though it failed to make the final five. But, it was short listed for the BAFTAs. His other film 'Fanaa' (2006) where he plays the role of a terrorist is also one of the highest grossing movies of the year.
