Roles Selective Bollywood Actor Aamir Khan Let Slip Through His Fingers

A serious perfectionist by all reports, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is very selective in the roles he takes. His career certainly hasn't suffered its lofty status reflected in the numerous awards and accolades he's received. He may have turned down some big roles, but is still on top in the industry. But if you like entertaining the woulda-shoulda-coulda's, you might wonder how his career would have differed had he not turned some of those away.

What if he had played the romantic lead in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge instead of Shah Rukh Khan? Or taken the role of the villain in Darr? Even more smartly, you might wonder how some of these successful films would have differed, had Aamir graced their casts.

At the top of the list has to be Sajaan. This poignant and complex tale of two brothers (one adopted, with disabilities) who find their way to the same girl's heart was a hit when it was released in 1991 -- that year's highest grossing film. But more importantly, the movie continues to attract attention. It has a developed a cult following, and the movie's music is loved by many. Moreover, plans are reported to remake this film after nearly two decades of persistent appreciation. Would Aamir Khan's career have taken a different course had he agreed to play the role of Aman, the adopted brother?

Maybe. Maybe not. Sometimes, cult films have a way of overshadowing their cast. While die-hard fans will be able to recite dialogue and can tell you every cast and production member's name down to the grip, the larger population of movie-goers who recognise the movie as a cult classic are less likely to remember who played in it. Though Sanjay Dutt (who took the role) may beg to differ.

Another role Aamir Khan refused was that of Shivaji Rao, the lead part in Nayak, The Real Hero. While this film was initially a box office flop, with its excessive budget and awful marketing, critics have praised it, and it has garnered popularity since. Plans for a second Nayak film, which will not be a sequel but will feature Anil Kapoor again playing Rao in a fresh story, speak to the movie's enduring interest.

It's a complex tale filled with political intrigue and the charm of an "every man's hero" who saves the day. And while no one complains about Anil Kapoor's worthy performance, it is fun to imagine Aamir Khan playing the role of a political figure who rallies people and creates real change, all while fighting the bad guys who are trying to kill him, and getting the girl (eventually). It's not hard to envision Aamir's capable acting style and earnest persona fitting that character well.

Second-guessing the courses we have taken is usually not worth the effort, and in Aamir Khan's case, probably would not have changed so much for the influential actor/director. But it certainly would have changed the complexion of those films, and in the case of Nayak, might have added one more shiny object for Aamir to place on his shelf at home.