In this compelling conversation with Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter India, Aamir Khan discusses India's potential as a global entertainment powerhouse and his role on the advisory board of the upcoming WAVES (World Audiovisual Entertainment Summit) in Mumbai. Anupama guides the discussion through Aamir's insights on how the government is showing unprecedented interest in the entertainment industry. The superstar emphasizes that for Indian content to travel globally, creators should focus on authentic local storytelling, citing his own films "Lagaan," "Dangal," and "3 Idiots" as examples that resonated worldwide without being specifically designed for international audiences.
During the interview, Aamir reveals his ambitious plan to begin work on a multi-film adaptation of the Mahabharat this year—a project he describes as one of his "biggest ambitions." The actor-producer explains that just the writing process will take several years and may require multiple directors if the films are to be shot simultaneously. Aamir also shares his hope for India's cinema infrastructure to expand dramatically, noting that the country has only about 10,000 screens compared to China's 105,000, limiting the business potential for Indian films despite the wealth of stories from Indian culture and history.
Reflecting on the state of Hindi cinema, Aamir offers a perspective shaped by his decades in the industry, viewing current challenges as part of a natural cycle rather than a permanent decline. He dismisses predictions about the death of theatrical cinema, positioning himself as an optimist who believes in the power of collective viewing experiences despite changing consumer habits in the digital age. Through thoughtful exchanges with Anupama, Aamir articulates his vision for the future of Indian entertainment while acknowledging that improvement is always possible, sharing his excitement about WAVES potentially addressing industry concerns and encouraging participation from young talent across the country.
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