Superstar Aamir Khan has always stood out in Bollywood for his honesty, humility and refusal to get carried away by the weight of his own stardom. Unlike many actors who shy away from comparisons, Aamir has never hesitated to acknowledge the talent and popularity of his peers.
Back in 2016, during the promotions of Dangal, he openly said that Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are bigger stars than him, a remark that continues to spark debates even years later.
When asked whether Salman Khan overshadowed him in terms of popularity, Aamir Khan responded without hesitation. He explained that Salman had always been a bigger star and that he had long considered Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan to hold a level of stardom he could never match.
Extending this thought further, he also mentioned Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh among the actors who command massive popularity. For Aamir, the idea of competing with his colleagues never made sense.
Describing the aura of his contemporaries, Aamir Khan recalled how it feels different when stars like Salman or Shah Rukh enter a room. He jokingly added that when they walk in, it feels like a star has truly arrived but when he walks in, it feels as though “a waiter has entered”. While he quickly apologised for the analogy, stressing his respect for service workers, the comment reflected his belief that his colleagues radiate the glamour and charisma he doesn’t claim for himself.
On the professional front, Aamir Khan was last seen in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, where he played the antagonist Dahaa in a special cameo alongside Rajinikanth. Aamir’s performance drew a mix of reactions in the film which also featured Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir and Sathyaraj. Looking ahead, he is preparing for Lahore 1947, a Partition-era drama that he is also producing, slated for release in June 2025.
Despite the warmth he shares with both Salman and Shah Rukh, Aamir has only worked with Salman once in a full-fledged film — the beloved comedy Andaz Apna Apna in 1994.
With Shah Rukh, he has never headlined a film together, something fans have long wished to see. Yet, the three Khans continue to create magical moments off-screen.
At Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s grand pre-wedding celebration in Jamnagar, the trio surprised everyone with an impromptu act that left fans cheering and reminded audiences why they remain Bollywood’s most iconic stars.
What a gem Aamir Khan is, isn’t he?
