‘Young Actors Must Have Got…’: Aamir Khan On Shah Rukh-Salman End Scene In Pathaan
One of the most memorable moments in recent Hindi cinema was the dramatic entry of Salman Khan’s character, Tiger, to save Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan in the 2023 film Pathaan. The scene, which brought the two superstars together, not only ignited a wave of excitement but also featured a memorable dialogue where Pathaan, played by Shah Rukh Khan, quips, “Desh ka sawaal hai, baccho pe nahin chod sakte.” This line, delivered with a sense of pride and responsibility, highlighted the irreplaceable status of both Khans in the industry, signalling that the younger generation of actors might not be able to fill their shoes just yet.
This iconic moment was followed by an end-credit scene where Pathaan and Tiger appear together again, only to realise there’s no one ready to take over their mantle. This lighthearted yet powerful exchange led fans and industry insiders to interpret it as a statement of the two Khans’ enduring dominance in Bollywood.
Now, the third Khan—Aamir Khan—has shared his thoughts on the scene. In a recent interview with Anupama Chopra on The Hollywood Reporter India, Aamir was asked about the much-discussed sequence. “I found the scene really funny,” he said. “I have not seen the film but I have seen that scene because you get clips nowadays on Instagram. Hence, I ended up seeing that scene. It’s quite funny.”
When Anupama described the entire sequence, Aamir laughed and added, “I think all the young actors must have got really upset. And you can’t even get too upset with Shah Rukh and Salman. Kya kar sakte hai (laughs).”
In the same interview, Aamir also reflected on the longevity of the three Khans, who have been at the helm of Bollywood for over three decades. However, he was quick to emphasize that their success isn’t exclusive to just the trio. “It’s not just Salman, Shah Rukh, and I who have lasted 35 years. There’s Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, and many others who have been with us,” he clarified.
When asked about the secret to their stardom, Aamir confessed, “I have no idea why I became a star and not somebody else. If you tell me to do it all over again, I won’t know how to do it.” Reflecting on how the digital age has changed the landscape of stardom, he noted, “The internet and social media have affected stardom. Stars today are more accessible than before.”
Aamir also touched on what he considers the true measure of a star. “The yardstick I have used for stardom is how many seats you fill. If you can fill cinemas, you’re a star. If not, you may be loved, but you might not be able to bring in the audience,” he explained. As a producer, Aamir added, “If I’m signing a star, I expect them to fill seats.”
Aamir’s candid reflections on stardom and the changing dynamics of the industry provide a deeper understanding of how the landscape of Bollywood is evolving, even for its biggest stars.
