Amin Hajee has opened up about his decades-long friendship with Aamir Khan. The actor-writer-director has known Aamir Khan since their association with ‘Lagaan’. In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Amin Hajee and his wife Charlotte spoke about the superstar’s personal values and professional support.The couple also discussed Aamir Khan’s relationships with his former wives, Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao. They described his family equations as genuine and said the actor continues to respect the individuality of the people in his life.
Aamir Khan maintains bond with ex-wives
Charlotte Hajee said Aamir Khan has not allowed his marriages ending to affect the relationships he shares with his former wives. She described the affection within the family as genuine. “He hasn’t changed the dynamics he has with his ex-wives. The relationships he has maintained within the family are not fake. There is pure love there,” Charlotte said. Amin Hajee added that Aamir Khan has even joked about being “a better ex-husband than a husband”.He also highlighted Aamir Khan’s respect for Reena Dutta’s personal identity and choices. According to him, she was never expected to alter those aspects of her life. “Reena Dutta is still Reena Dutta. She didn’t change her religion or surname because he respects her space. It was Reena who named Ira and Junaid both.”
When Aamir Khan stepped in for ‘Koi Jaane Na’
Amin Hajee also remembered how Aamir Khan supported him when he was preparing his directorial debut, ‘Koi Jaane Na’. Hajee had already secured a producer and was searching for an actor for a particular role. Aamir Khan eventually offered to play the character. The actor had also promised to attend the film’s muhurat. “I was trying to make Koi Jaane Na and had already found a producer. Aamir had told me he would even clap the muhurat shot of my film. I went to meet him and discussed a character I wanted a star to play. The very next day, Aamir called me and said, ‘Amin, if I play the character we discussed, would that help?’”Hajee initially believed the role was beneath Aamir Khan’s stature. The actor, however, insisted that his intention was to help his friend. “I told him, ‘Aamir, this is a step down for you.’ He said, ‘Amin, I want to help you. You have worked so hard to put this project together.’”
When Aamir Khan called Hajee his brother
Amin Hajee recalled that Aamir Khan explained his decision by comparing the situation to one involving his own brother, Faisal Khan. “He told me, ‘If it were Faisal, I would have helped him, so I’m helping you also.’ In my heart, I felt that he is a true brother. That’s just who he is: someone who genuinely wants to uplift others.” Aamir Khan later appeared in ‘Koi Jaane Na’ alongside Elli AvrRam. He featured in the song ‘Har Funn Maula’. The Amin Hajee-written and directed film was released in 2021.
Charlotte praises Aamir Khan’s positivity
Charlotte Hajee also spoke about Aamir Khan’s outlook on life. She said his ability to find goodness in people has remained intact despite the pressures of fame. “Despite everything he goes through in his life and the fact that he is such a huge superstar, one thing I would say about Aamir as a person is that he is extremely positive. He always looks for the good in people. That is very difficult to do.”She also recalled the criticism surrounding ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’. Charlotte said social media has intensified the negativity faced by public figures. “Sometimes people are mean; they pull you down or say hurtful things about your personality. After Laal Singh Chaddha, there were so many things said about him that were hurtful. Now, with social media, it feels like a river of criticism where anyone can throw anything at you, and there are no rules.” She added, “Even when something negative happens, he will maintain the relationship and continue to look for the good in that person.”
Amin Hajee calls Aamir Khan his guru
Amin Hajee also praised Aamir Khan for the way he speaks about women and treats others. He described the actor as loving, kind and respectful. “Aamir is loving, kind and respectful. I have never heard him speak negatively about any woman, whether he knows her or not. Even if I say something, he will stop me and say, ‘Amin, don’t say that. It doesn’t sound good.’”Hajee further admired Aamir Khan’s ability to continue believing in relationships. “He has this ability to keep the faith and to love and fall in love again like a child. He is a very loving person.” Reflecting on their friendship, Hajee said Aamir Khan has influenced him through his actions. “Aamir has led by example. The amount he has taught me without actually saying anything is incredible. I pray that every person gets a brother and a guru like him someone who teaches you simply by leading through his own example.”Their association began with ‘Lagaan’, where Amin Hajee played Bagha. He later joined the writing team of Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘Swades’. For the unversed, Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta share two children, Junaid Khan and Ira Khan. Aamir Khan later married filmmaker Kiran Rao in 2005. They welcomed their son Azad through surrogacy in 2011 and announced their separation in 2021. Aamir Khan is now married to Gauri Spratt.
