‘Those years are not coming back’: Bollywood star Aamir Khan fights back tears over lost family time

Bollywood star Aamir Khan was in Singapore for the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) when he reflected on the years he had spent as a workaholic. The 61-year-old actor, who received the Screen Icon Award, opened up about how those years had come at a cost. He expressed regret over the lost family time, feeling a deep sense of loss as his children had grown up and moved on.

"About 30 years of my life had passed — and it’s okay to work like a madman, completely obsessed with what you’re doing, for one year, two years, five years, but if it goes on for 30 years… You’ve lost your relationships," he said, his voice choked with emotion. Aamir reiterated his regret, noting that those years could never return.

He then shared that he has since made a conscious effort to reconnect with his loved ones, making sure to prioritize his relationships. Aamir, who has starred in numerous hit films, also touched on the unconventional role piracy played in his popularity in China. He revealed that while he is not an advocate of piracy, he acknowledges that it inadvertently increased his visibility in the Chinese market.

The news of a sequel to his film 3 Idiots brought some relief, with Aamir confirming that the project is in the works. The director Rajkumar Hirani is currently working on the script, which is set to pick up the story ten years after the original film. Aamir, whose father was also a film producer, revealed that he would likely have followed a similar career path if not for acting, stating that this is where his heart belongs. The SGIFF will continue until November 1.