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Ahmednagar
—  city  —
Ahmednagar
Coordinates: 19°05′N 74°44′E / 19.08°N 74.73°E / 19.08; 74.73Coordinates: 19°05′N 74°44′E / 19.08°N 74.73°E / 19.08; 74.73
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Ahmednagar
Elevation	649 m (2,129 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	307,455
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	414001
Telephone code	0241
Vehicle registration	MH 16,17
Website	ahmednagar.gov.in

Ahmednagar  pronunciation (help·info) is a city of Ahmednagar District in the state of Maharashtra, India, on the west bank of the Sina river, about 120 km northeast of Pune and 120 km from Aurangabad. Ahmednagar District is the largest district in the state of Maharashtra. Sugar, milk and bank co-operatives thrive here. Ahmednagar is home to 19 sugar factories and is also the birthplace of the cooperative movement. Due to scarce rainfall, Ahmednagar often suffers from drought. Though citizens learn multilingual (e.g. English, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu) education in schools, Marathi is the primary language for daily-life communication. Hindi is also widely understood and spoken, though of the Dakhani (or Hyderabadi Urdu) dialect, with a lot of grammar and loan words from Marathi. Ahmednagar has recently published a plan of developing the city by year 2031.^[1]

Demographics[link]

As of 2011 Indian census,^[2] Ahmednagar had a population of 347,549. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ahmednagar has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national urban average of 79.9%.^[3] 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History[link]

The town was founded in 1494 by Ahmad Nizam Shah on the site of a more ancient city, Bhingar. With the breakup of the Bahmani Sultanate, Ahmad established a new sultanate in Ahmednagar, also known as Nizam Shahi dynasty.

It was one of the Deccan sultanates, which lasted until its conquest by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1636. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor, who spent the latter years of his reign, 1681–1707, in the Deccan, died at Khuldabad near Aurangabad in 1707, and a small monument marks the site.

Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar was born on May 31, 1725 in Chondi village of Jamkhed taluka in Ahmednagar district.

In 1759, the Peshwa of the Marathas obtained possession of the place from Nizam of Hyderabad and in 1790 it was ceded by the Peshwa to the Maratha chief Daulat Rao Sindhia. Ahmednagar was invaded by a British force under General Wellesley and captured. It was afterwards restored to the Marathas, but again came into the possession of the British in 1817, according to the terms of the Treaty of Poona.

Numerous Mughal-era buildings dot the environs. Ahmednagar Fort, once considered the second most unimpregnable fort in India, was used by the British to house Jawaharlal Nehru (the first prime minister of India) and other Indian Nationalists before Indian independence. A few rooms there have been converted to a museum. During his confinement by the British at Ahmednagar Fort, Nehru wrote the famous book The Discovery of India.

Ahmednagar is home to the Indian Armoured Corps Centre & School (ACC&S), the Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre (MIRC), the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) and the Controllerate of Quality Assurance Vehicles (CQAV). Training and recruitment for the Indian Army Armoured Corps takes place at the ACC&S. Formerly, the city was the Indian base of the British Army's Royal Tank Corps / Indian Armoured Corps, amongst other units. Currently the town houses the second-largest display of military tanks in the world.^[4] The exhibit is open to the public.

Climate[link]

Religion[link]

The majority of the population in Ahmednagar is Hindu, with minorities of Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians.^{[citation needed]}

Islam arrived in Ahmednagar during the Tughlaq dynasty.^{[citation needed]} There are many Muslim Monuments like Salabad Khan's Dome (popularly but wrongly known as Chand Bibi Mahal), Faria Baug, Ground Fort and many Dargahs.

Christianity arrived in the 18th century when the British took over the area. The first Protestant Christian mission in the district was opened in 1831, by the efforts of American Marathi Mission and SPG Mission.^[5] Since British Raj Christianity has been Ahmednagar's third-largest religion.^[6] Ahmednagar's Christians are known as Marathi Christians and majority of them are Protestant.^[7]

Notable residents[link]

Chand Bibi, an Indian Muslim woman warrior who defended Ahmednagar from a Mughal Emperor.

• Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, born in Chondi village of Jamkhed taluka in Ahmednagar district.
• Anna Hazare, Right to Information Act (RTI) Activist^{[citation needed]}
• Chand Bibi, an Indian Muslim woman warrior^{[citation needed]}
• Spike Milligan, Irish comedian^{[citation needed]}
• Anna Leonowens, educator, feminist, author of The English Governess at the Siamese Court (1870)^{[citation needed]}
• Michael J. S. Dewar, a theoretical chemist^[8]
• Shahu Modak (1918–1993), a Marathi/Hindi movie actor^{[citation needed]}
• Anand Rishiji Maharaj, religious guide^{[citation needed]}
• Saint Dnyaneshwar, wrote Dnyaneshwari^{[citation needed]}
• Sai Baba of Shirdi (died 1918), saint^{[citation needed]}
• Meher Baba (1894–1969), religious figure^{[citation needed]}
• Jawaharlal Nehru, wrote the book The Discovery of India^{[citation needed]}
• B. R. Ambedkar wrote the book Pakistan or Partition of India^{[citation needed]}
• Vishnu Ramkrishna Karkare, a Hindu Mahasabha activist^{[citation needed]}
• Sadashiv Amrapurkarliving at village amarapur,pathardi.
• Zaheer Khan famous Indian cricketer

Places of interest[link]

Ahmednagar fort entrance

• Chand Bibi Palace - The place has Salabat Khan Tomb, it is a three-storey structure made of solid stone. It is 13 km from Ahmednagar city. Situated on the top of a hill, it has a view of the city lights at night. It is visible from almost anywhere in Ahmednagar City.
  

  

  Salabat Khan's Dome
• Ahmednagar Fort - The fort was built by Ahmed Nizam Shah. India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a book The Discovery of India in this fort when he was detained by the British in 1942.
• Renuka/Durga Goddess Temple - This temple is located in Kedgaon (around 3 km from Ahmednagar Railway Station, 5 km from Ahmednagar ST bus-stand) which is near Nagar-Pune highway. Navaratri (nine nights) festival is a celebration of nine nights of battle between the Goddess Durga and demon-king Mahishasura. Eventually Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura on the ninth night and thus the festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.
• Alamagir - Alamgir is situated near Bhingar on Pathardi road. Aurangzeb died at the age of 91 at the very same place, his body was taken to Khultabad, near Aurangabad and buried there. This historical place also houses a Masjid & Baradari where meetings used to take place. The library near the masjid has rare Qurans, dating back to the time of emperor Aurangzeb. One of the Qurans here was written by the emperor himself.
• Vishal Ganpati Mandir - This Ganeshji temple is located in Maliwada area in Ahmednagar City. This temple has a great importance to the people of Ahmednagar.
• Siddhatek Siddhivinayak - Temple of God Ganesh.
• Shirdi - home to the late Sai Baba, revered by Hindus and Muslims alike, about 83 km from Ahmednagar City.
  

  

  Samadhi of Meher Baba
• Meherabad, where the samadhi (tomb) of the spiritual master Meher Baba is a place of pilgrimage, visited by thousands each year, particularly on the anniversary of his death, Amartithi. His later residence was at Meherazad (near Pimpalgaon village), approximately nine miles north of Ahmednagar.
• Ralegaon Siddhi - a village which is a model for environmental conservation. Social activist Anna Hazare is from Ralegoan Siddhi.
• Shingnapur - Shingnapur is known for Shani (planet Saturn) temple and all houses with absolutely no door. This is probably the only village in world where you don't need locks.
• Harishchandragarh - a hilly fort.
• Avhane, Shevgaon - Temple of Ganesh (Nidrista/Sleeping).
• Pimpalner - Samadhi Temple of Shri Sant Nilobaraya, in Parner Taluka, 2 km west of Ralegan Sindhi, Parner Taluka. Also called Prati Pandharpur. Every Ekadashi, thousands of devotees visit this place chanting Abhangas.
• Pedgaon - Baleshwar Temple, Temple of Laxmi Narayan
• Trimbakji Dengale's Wada : Nimgaojali, a small village in Sangamner taluka of Ahmednagar district, came into limelight in the last phase of the Maratha empire. Trimbakji's spacious wada has now lost its former glory. Some of the portions of this two-centuries old structure are in dilapidated condition. The seventh or the eighth generation descendants of Trimbakji are now residing in this Wada.
• Haregaon - Place in Ahmednagar where majority of people is Catholic and the feast of Mother Mary Celebrates every year by the local Church.
• Jamgaon- Place in parner taluka where a historical palace built by Shri. Mahadaji shinde around 375 years back.
• Bhingar- Radha Krishna Temple built by Shri. Narayan Prasad Tiwari with the help of local people in 1942. Post independence, this temple was taken over by Indian Army.
• Shri Datta Devasthan Trust, Vedantnagar- Sadguru Shri Ramakrishna Saraswati Swamiji founded Shri Datta Devasthan Trust in 1974 at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, with a view to protect and preserve the Vedic Traditions and Vedic culture. The trust runs a gurukul university for vedic education called "Vedant Vidyapeetham".
• Saint Mahipati Maharaj Temple, Taharabad, Rahuri- Saint Mahipati Maharaj in 1700 century has written Histories of nearly 285 Indian saints, which is now the only ref. to study taken by many phillosopers and Justine E Abbott having his book "Stories of Indian Saints" from Sant Mahipati's Bhaktivijay Book.
• Shree Kshetra Korthan Khandoba Devastan very popular temple of Lord Khandoba.
• Buhranagar -In Buhranagar, there is a Goddess Temple(Goddess named AMBABAI). It is near about 5 km from Ahmednagar city. Buhranagar is also called as AMBIKANAGAR. This temple is of great importance to people from Ahmednagar.
• DARGAH DAIRA - This Holy place is near Ahmednagar city (03 km) where the Tomb of Sufi Saint Hazrat Shah Sharif is situated. Hazarat Shah Sharif is well known & mentioned in the history for his miracles. Shahaji, Father of Shivaji Maharaj was born after seeking the blessings from Saint Shah Sharif & in the honor of the Peer Shah Sharif, Maloji named his sons as Shahji and Sharifji.
• Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth,Rahuri : Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth is an agricultural university at Rahuri. It is named after Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, an activist and social reformer of 19th century. The basic mandate assigned to this University are advancement in teaching, research and imparting extension education to the farmers of the State. There are four Agricultural Universities in the State, catering the similar services in their locality. The jurisdiction of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri extends over Western Maharashtra covering ten districts.

Transport[link]

Air[link]

The nearest domestic airport from the city is Pune Airport and Aurangabad Airport which are, respectively, 114 km and 120 km away from the city and international airport is in Mumbai, 280 km from city.

Rail[link]

Ahmednagar (station code:ANG) is an important station which belongs to Solapur Jn. of Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways. Ahmednagar has rail connectivity with Pune, Manmad, Shirdi, Daund, Goa, Nasik.and metros New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad There is still a demand for direct rail connectivity to other major cities of India. Total 41 Express Trains Stops at this Station.

Road[link]

Ahmednagar is well connected by roads with various major cities of Maharashtra and other states. National Highway 222 from Kalyan to Nirmal near Adilabad in Andhra Pradesh passes through the city. Ahmednagar has 4 lane road connectivity to Aurangabad, Pune, Nashik, Beed, Solapur

Local transport

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and numerous other private bus operators provide bus service connecting the city to all parts of the state. Prasanna Purple Ltd. operates an intra-city bus service called AMT Bus Service which connects different parts of the city together along with connecting the city to its nearby suburbs.

Entertainment[link]

Ahmednagar has few multiplexes and single screen theatres for entertainment.

List of Multiplexes

• Asha Square
• My Cinema E-Square

List of Single Screen Theaters

• Shivam Plaza
• Mahesh
• Chitra
• Chhaya Marathi

Auditoriums

• Sahakar Sabhagriha

Parks

• Anand udyaan
• Mahalaxmi udyaan
• Bhagat singh udyaan
• Ganga udyaan
• siddhi bagh

Malls

• Big Bazaar

Water Park

• Sai resorts

Stadium

• Wadia Park
• Krida sankull

Media and communication[link]

• Newspapers: Lokmat, Sakaal, Punyanagri, Samana, Loksatta, Nagar Times, Divya Marathi, Maharashtra Times, Samachar
• Radio: AIR Nagar FM, Radio City, Dhamaal 24, Radio Nagar FM
• Internet: Internet facilities are provided by several suppliers, BSNL is leading internet facilities provider.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Travel to Ahmednagar All about interesting places (including historical/archaeological) to visit in Ahmednagar.
• Click here to see Ahmednagar Map in English & Marathi
• Very good resource for sights in and around Ahmednagar
• Ahmadnagar entry in Encyclopædia Iranica
• Pictures of Ahmednagar

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Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan at NDTV Greenathon in Yash Raj Studios, 2012
Born	Aamir Hussain Khan (1965-03-14) 14 March 1965 (age 47) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Film actor, producer, director and writer
Years active	1973–1974, 1984, 1988–2001, 2005–present
Spouse	Reena Dutta (1986–2002) Kiran Rao (2005–present)
Children	3
Website
http://www.aamirkhan.com/

Aamir Hussain Khan (pronounced [ˈaːmɪr ˈxaːn]) (born 14 March 1965) is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema.^[1][2][3]

Starting his career as a child actor in his uncle Nasir Hussain's film Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Khan began his professional career eleven years later with Holi (1984) and had his first commercial success with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). He received his first National Film Award as a Special Jury Award for his roles in the films Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Raakh (1989).^[4] After eight previous nominations during the 1980s and 1990s, Khan received his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in the major grosser Raja Hindustani (1996)^[5][6] and later earned his second Best Actor award for his performance in the Academy Award-nominated Lagaan, which also marked the debut of his own production company.

Following a four-year break from acting, Khan made his comeback playing the title role in the historical Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005), and later won a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for his role in Rang De Basanti (2006). The following year, he made his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par, for which he received a Filmfare Award for Best Director. This was followed by Ghajini (2008), which became the highest grossing film of that year, and 3 Idiots (2009), which became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all-time, unadjusted for inflation.^[7] The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his contributions towards the arts.^[8][9][10]

On 30 November 2011, Khan was appointed as national brand ambassador of UNICEF to promote child nutrition.^[11]

Early life[link]

Khan was born in Bandra's Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai, India, to a Muslim^[12] family that has been actively involved in the Indian motion picture industry for several decades. His father, Tahir Hussain, was a film producer while his uncle, Nasir Hussain, was a film producer as well as a director and an actor. His family on his father´s side are originally from Herat, Afghanistan.^[13]

He is a descendant of the scholar and politician Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and a second cousin to former deputy chairperson and current member of Rajya Sabha Dr. Najma Heptulla.

Career[link]

Actor[link]

Khan began his film career at the age of 8, as a child actor in a home production, made by Nasir Hussain, titled Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)^[14] and Madhosh (1974). Eleven years later, he made his adult acting debut in a role that went quite unnoticed in Ketan Mehta's Holi (1984).

Khan's first notable leading role came in 1988 in the film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak which was directed by his cousin and Nasir Hussain's son Mansoor Khan. This film was a breakthrough commercial success, effectively launching Khan's career as a leading actor. Having the typical 'chocolate hero' looks, he was publicised as a teen idol. He also starred in critically acclaimed film Raakh, for which Khan got his first National Award for Special Jury Award. After that, he went on to appear in several other films in the late '80s and early '90s: Dil (1990), which became the highest grossing film of the year,^[15] Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) (for which he also wrote the screenplay), and Rangeela (1995). Most of these films were successful critically and commercially.^[16][17][18] Other successes include Andaz Apna Apna, co-starring Salman Khan. At the time of its release the movie was reviewed unfavorably by critics, but over the years has gained a cult status.^[19]

Khan at 2011 Berlin Film Festival

Khan continued to act in just one or two films a year, an unusual trait for a mainstream Hindi cinema actor. His only release in 1996 was the Dharmesh Darshan directed commercial blockbuster Raja Hindustani in which he was paired opposite Karisma Kapoor. The film earned him his first Filmfare Best Actor Award, after seven previous nominations, and went on to become the biggest hit of the year, as well as the third highest grossing Indian film of the 1990s.^[20] Khan's career had seemed to hit a plateau at this point of time, and most of the films to follow for the next few years were only partially successful. In 1997, he co-starred alongside Ajay Devgn, Kajol and Juhi Chawla in Ishq, which performed well at the box office. The following year, Khan appeared in the moderately successful Ghulam, for which he also did playback singing.^[21] John Mathew Matthan's Sarfarosh (1999), Khan's first release in 1999, was also moderately successful, gaining an above average box office verdict.^[22] The film was highly appreciated amongst the critics and Khan's role as a dedicated, honest and uncorrupted cop engaged in fighting border terrorism, was well received, as was his role in Deepa Mehta's art house film Earth. His first release for the new millennium, Mela, in which he acted alongside his real-life brother Faisal Khan, was both a box-office and critical bomb.^[23]

In 2001 he appeared in Lagaan. The film was a major critical and commercial success,^[24] and received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 74th Academy Awards. Additionally, the film gathered critical acclaim at several international film festivals, in addition to winning numerous Indian awards, including the National Film Awards. Khan himself won his second Filmfare Best Actor Award. The film continues to be one of the most popular Hindi films in the west.^{[citation needed]}

The success of Lagaan was followed by Dil Chahta Hai later that year, in which Khan co-starred with Akshaye Khanna and Saif Ali Khan, with Preity Zinta playing his love interest. The film was written and directed by the then newcomer Farhan Akhtar. According to critics, the film broke new grounds by showing Indian urban youth as they really are today. The characters depicted were modern, suave and cosmopolitan. The film did moderately well and was a success mostly in urban cities.^[24]

Khan then took a four year break citing personal problems, and returned in 2005 with Ketan Mehta's Mangal Pandey: The Rising playing the title role of a real-life sepoy and a martyr who helped spark the Indian Rebellion of 1857 or the 'First War of Indian Independence'.^{[citation needed]}

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's award-winning Rang De Basanti was Khan's first release in 2006. His role was critically acclaimed,^[25] earning him a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor and various nominations for Best Actor. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing films of the year,^[26] and was selected as India's official entry to the Oscars. Although the film was not shortlisted as a nominee for the Oscar, it received a nomination for Best Foreign Film at the BAFTA Awards in England. Khan's work in his next movie, Fanaa (2006) co-starred with Kajol was also appreciated,^[27] and the film went on to become one of the highest grossing Indian films of 2006.^[26]

His 2007 film, Taare Zameen Par was also produced by him and marked his directorial debut. The film, which was the second offering from Aamir Khan Productions, starred Khan in a supporting role as a teacher who befriends and helps a dyslexic child. It opened to excellent responses from critics and audiences alike. Khan's performance was well-received, although he was particularly applauded for his directing.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, Khan appeared in the movie Ghajini. The film was a major commercial success^[28] and became the highest grossing Bollywood movie of that year. For his performance in the film, Khan received several Best Actor nominations at various award ceremonies as well as his fifteenth Filmfare Best Actor nomination.^{[citation needed]}

In 2009, Khan appeared in the commercially and critically acclaimed film 3 Idiots as Ranchodas Chanchad which became Bollywood's highest grossing film^[7] and won multiple Filmfare Awards including Best Picture.^[29] Around August, 2011, Khan started talks with Siddhartha Basu's BIG Synergy, to host a talk show, similar to the Oprah Winfrey show.^[30] On May 6, 2012, the highly anticipated show Satyamev Jayate debuted in English and all major Indian languages and received both popular and critical praise for its dicussions on various social issues like female foeticide, child sexual abuse and dowry plaguing Indian society.

Aamir is being paid Rs. 3 crore rupees per episode as to host the Satyamev Jayate and it makes him the highest paid host in Indian television industry. ^[31] This show has already received the highest TRP and dubbed as one of biggest hits on the Indian television after Ramayan.

Producer[link]

Khan at a promotional event for Taare Zameen Par

In 2001 Khan set up a production company known as Aamir Khan Productions. Its first film was Lagaan. The movie was released in 2001, starring Khan as the lead actor. The film was selected as India's official entry to the 74th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. It was eventually chosen and nominated in that category but lost to No Man's Land. The film won numerous awards at several Indian award functions such as Filmfare and IIFA, and won the National Film Award for Most Popular Film, an award shared between Khan and the film's director, Ashutosh Gowariker.^[32] Khan later commented on the loss of Lagaan at the Oscars: "Certainly we were disappointed. But the thing that really kept us in our spirits was that the entire country was behind us".

In 2007 he produced the drama Taare Zameen Par which marked his directorial debut. Khan also played a supporting role in the film, sharing the screen with the debut of child actor Darsheel Safary. The film was initially conceived of and developed by the husband and wife team, Amole Gupte and Deepa Bhatia. It was a story of a young child who suffers in school until a teacher identifies him as dyslexic. The movie was critically acclaimed,^[33] as well as a box office success. Taare Zameen Par won the 2008 Filmfare Best Movie Award as well as a number of other Filmfare and Star Screen Awards. Khan's work won him two awards at the Filmfare, the Best Movie and the Best Director awards, which established his status as a competent filmmaker in Bollywood.

In 2008, Khan launched his nephew Imran Khan's debut in the film Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na under his production house. The film was a big hit in India, and eventually earned Khan another nomination for Best Movie at the Filmfare.^[34]

In 2011, Khan released his home production Dhobi Ghat.^[35] which was directed by his wife Kiran Rao.

Television[link]

Khan made his television debut with his social issue based talk show Satyamev Jayte which started airing on 6 May 2012. The show will went live simultaneously on Star Plus, Star World and national broadcaster Doordarshan on the 11 A.M. Sunday slot in eight languages, being the first ever show to do so in India.^[36] The show opened to highly positive reviews and feedback from various eminent personalities such as social activists, media houses, doctors, film and television personalities, and Khan was praised for his effort, describing the show as a movement.^[37] In her review, Ritu Singh of IBN Live stated that, "Aamir Khan deserves an applause for bringing up such a sensitive issue and presenting it in a hard hitting way. The amount of research Aamir and his team has put into the show was clearly visible with the facts and figures presented. Every aspect of the issue was covered with great diligence."^[38] Parmita Uniyal from Hindustan Times praised the content and Khan for "step[ing] in to do what journalists are supposed to do – make a difference. The show is a classic example of that."^[39] 84 million people watched the show, making it, to date, the highest rated show on Indian television.^[40]

Humanitarian and political causes[link]

In April 2006, Aamir participated in the demonstrations put up by the Narmada Bachao Andolan committee with their leader Medha Patkar after the Gujrat government's decision to raise the height of the Narmada dam. He quoted to support adivasis, who might got displaced from their homes.^[41] Later he faced protests and a partial ban on his film Fanaa but the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh supported him by saying Everyone has the freedom of expression. If someone says something on a particular subject, that doesn't mean you should start protesting.^[42] Aamir also lended his support to Janlokpal Bill Movement led by Anna Hazare in August 2011.^[43]

He has been supporting common causes and in the same row when asked about views on entertainment tax in 2012 budget Aamir said, I don't want any reduction in that, all I expect is focus on education and nutrition.^[44] He quitted GOI's copyrights panels in February 2010 after facing sharp differences with other members.^[45] He journeyed to diverse parts of India, mostly to small towns during promotion of 3 Idiots saying film makers from Mumbai don’t understand small town India,^[46] which was an connecting to India experience, which is extended in his debut TV show Satyamev Jayate.

Personal life[link]

Khan married Reena Dutta, who had a small part in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, on 18 April 1986. They have two children, a son named Junaid and a daughter, Ira. Reena was involved briefly in Khan's career when she worked as a producer for Lagaan. In December 2002, Khan filed for divorce, ending the 15-year marriage. Reena took custody of both children.^[47] On 28 December 2005, Khan married Kiran Rao who had been an assistant director to Ashutosh Gowariker during the filming of Lagaan.^[48] Khan is a follower of spiritual leader J. P. Vaswani.^[49]

Though nominated many times, Khan does not attend any Indian film award ceremony as he feels "Indian film awards lack credibility".^[50] In 2007, Khan was invited to have a wax imitation of himself put on display at Madame Tussauds in London.^[51] However, Khan declined stating that, "It's not important to me... people will see my films if they want to. Also, I cannot deal with so many things, I have bandwidth only for that much."^[52] But he finally gave a nod to attend the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards, to be presented on 3 May 2012.^[53] But, Aamir Khan, who was supposed to attend the awards ceremony, gave it a last-minute miss.^[54]

In 2007, Khan lost a custody battle for his younger brother Faisal to their father, Tahir Hussain.^[55] His father passed away on 2 February 2010.^[56]

In a 2009 interview, Khan states that he tends to take an independent approach to the world of filmmaking, noting that he does not "do different things; I try to do it in a different manner. I think every person should follow his/her dream and try and make it possible to create an ability to achieve it backed by its practicality." He has also indicated that he is more interested in the process of filmmaking than in the end result: "For me, the process is more important, more joyful. I would like to have my entire concentration on the process right from the first step."

On 5 December 2011, Khan and his wife Kiran Rao announced the birth of their son, Azad Rao Khan,^[57] through a surrogate mother.^[58]

Filmography[link]

Actor[link]

Producer[link]

Writer/Director[link]

See also[link]

• List of Indian film actors

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Crerar, Simon. "Aamir Khan on Making it in Bollywood^{[dead link]}." The Times, 15 January 2010.
• Bamzai, Kaveree. Aamir Khan: Mr Blockbuster^{[dead link]}. India Today, 7 January 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2011

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aamir Khan

• Official website
• Aamir Khan at the Internet Movie Database