Aamir Khan on career slump and labeled one-film wonder: ‘I used to come home and cry…’

Aamir Khan rose to fame with his breakthrough in the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. The romantic drama film alongside Juhi Chawla turned Aamir Khan into an overnight success, which was followed by a string of offers. However, the challenges of some wrong decisions ultimately led to a major career slump in his life. He also struggled with the label of ‘one-film wonder’ when back-to-back flops stole his peace. Recently, the superstar Khan recalled a time when his career slump made him cry every night.

Aamir Khan on career ‘going down the drain’

Aamir Khan, who is now hailed as Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist, once suffered from a major career slump that too at the beginning of his acting journey. Recalling a tough time when he was labeled as a one-film wonder, Aamir Khan shared some life lessons at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025. He said that he signed almost 8-9 films without a thorough check, and it ended as a disaster after they tanked at the box office. He also reflected on a life lesson to check three boxes before finalizing a project: script, director, and producer.

“I realised in the first 6-8 months of working in these films that 3 things are very crucial in every film; the script, the director and the producer. Until these 3 are ticked off, I realised I won't do a film again. I was very unhappy with the work I was doing. In the first couple of years in my career as an actor, after QSQT, I was not happy with the projects. My sensibility did not match the people I was working with. To cut a long story short, these films started releasing eventually, and they started bombing. Ek flop hui, dusri flop hui, teesri flop hui (One flopped, then another flopped, then a third one too). I was labelled ‘one film wonder,’ and rightly so,” Aamir shared in the conversation.

Aamir Khan’s workfront

Speaking about his feelings, Aamir shared how it took an emotional toll on him as he realized the remaining films that he signed before were also bad. “I was like, ‘I am sunk! My career is going to go down the drain in this manner!’ I used to come home in the evening and cry. I swore to myself that never again will I compromise with my work,” the Dangal actor added.

Also Read: Aamir Khan announces Vir Das' 'hatke film' Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos with release date; Don't miss Imran Khan in video

Meanwhile, Aamir Khan last appeared in Sitare Zameen Par, where he played a sports coach for specially abled players. He is currently working on multiple projects that are in the pipeline. It includes Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos and Lahore 1947.

FAQs:

Q: Is Aamir Khan producing Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos?

A: Yes, Aamir Khan is producing comedian and actor Vir Das' directorial debut. It will hit cinemas on January 16, 2026.

Q: Will Aamir Khan make a guest appearance in Vir Das' movie?

A: Fans will have to wait for some time to know exactly if Aamir Khan will be making a special cameo in the film.