I also knew Kiran [Rao] had been looking for a script to direct.
Below, Khan speaks to us about developingLaapataa Ladies and his process as a producer.
Im not a very budget-conscious producer, he joked of his work behind the camera.
Aamir KhanAamir Khan Productions.
DEADLINE: Aamir, you found this film while serving on a screenplay competition jury?
I was one of four people on the jury.
I came across this screenplay and I fell in love with it.
Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan in London.
I thought it was a beautiful script and knew I wanted to make it into a film.
I also knew Kiran [Rao] had been looking for a script to direct.
When I read the script her name popped into my head immediately.
Shes made a gem of a film.
DEADLINE: Why was Kiran the right director for this project?
KHAN:Kiran and I have worked closely together as producers.
I produced her first film.
I also acted in it.
That is what was needed for this film because its a very dramatic plot.
So I didnt want a director to pitch it any higher than it already was.
I wanted a director who was honest with the material.
In reality, the more honest you are the more the drama can bloom.
And that was her approach.
Theres also the balance between satire and the many important issues at play.
She managed to keep the right balance.
DEADLINE: How involved are you as a producer?
I can imagine its probably quite daunting for some of the actors having you around on set.
KHAN:I dont usually go to set unless Im acting.
When I select a director for a film, I have full confidence in them.
I also advise on locations.
So all the big decisions in prep.
I also usually drop in and see some of the rehearsals.
Im also very active in the release of a film.
We follow a very rigorous testing process.
This comes up in test screenings.
DEADLINE: Its been over two decades since you started your production house.
Why did you originally decide to produce?
KHAN:I became a producer by accident.
I was born into a filmmaking family.
My father was a producer.
My uncle produced and directed films.
He was one of the leading filmmakers of his time.
So I grew up with films being made around me.
I was happy just acting.
But then I received the script forLagaan(2001).
In the late 90s,Lagaanwas very unusual material for mainstream Indian cinema.
So I became a producer out of necessity.
I enjoyed the process because it gives you a lot more control.
Im not a very budget-conscious producer.
As a creative person, my films often go outside of budget and schedule.
DEADLINE: Laapataa Ladies made the top 10 on Netflix and has traveled internationally.
When picking projects, do you usually think about what stories or ideas will work best with global audiences?
KHAN:No, I dont.
Actually, I dont even think of the Indian audience, to be quite honest.
When Im selecting a film, its really because I love it.
I dont know what the audience will think.
However, I am making films primarily for the Indian audience.
KHAN:I have no idea.
Its difficult to categorize Indian cinema because Indian cinema is, first of all, 30 or more languages.
We make films in so many languages.
And we make about 1000 films a year in different languages.
So when you say Indian cinema, do you mean Tamil cinema?
Do you mean Telugu?
Do you mean Hindi?
Do you mean Bengali?
Which cinema are you referring to?
And then within each cinema, you have mainstream Tamil cinema, mainstream Telugu, and mainstream Hindi.
And then you also have independent cinemas in each language.
So in Indian cinema, there are a lot of different kinds of films.
At one time, Indian cinema used to be recognized as just singing and dancing.
But its no longer that.
Its moved beyond that.
The audiences in India have also been changing and appreciating different work.
DEADLINE: What do you want to do next?
Im also really keen on working on childrens content.
I think that all of us are children at the end of the day.
And when you tell stories for children, usually the entire family tunes in.
That allows you to touch on themes that can educate children from a young age.
