Aamir Khan threatened to leave Taare Zameen Par over Amole Gupte's direction; lost confidence after watching ‘amateurish' rushes: ‘No second chance'

Indian Express

30-06-2025

Aamir Khan has often been accused of taking over projects from directors or dominating them to the point of sidelining the filmmaker. These speculations gained momentum after the actor took over the direction of Taare Zameen Par from the film's writer, Amole Gupte. In a recent interaction, Aamir broke down the entire incident and shared what went on behind the scenes that compelled him to take over the film's direction.
Speaking to Lallantop, Aamir revealed that he had known Amole since their school days and the two were good friends, having done theatre together. He shared that Amole had mentioned he wanted to approach Akshaye Khanna for his film. Curiously, Aamir asked Amole about the project and offered to recommend Amole's film to the Chhaava actor.
Aamir heard the script of the film and liked it so much that he expressed his willingness to produce and star in it. He said, 'I really liked the story and I cried while hearing it. I promised Amole to call Akshaye and recommend it to him, but I questioned Amole, 'Why are you not offering this film to me?' and Amole said he thought I wouldn't be interested.'
After this, the first discussion Amole and Aamir had was about direction. Aamir revealed that Amole expressed his wish to direct the film, but the Sarfarosh actor wasn't convinced about his skills as a director and told him so upfront. Aamir said, 'I told Amole, if you want me to produce the film then you won't be able to direct it because I don't have the confidence in you as a director.'
After Aamir refused, Amole asked for one chance to direct the film, but the superstar again refused point-blank. So, Amole agreed to step back from direction, and they began searching for another director. Meanwhile, Aamir wasn't satisfied with the last portion of the film's script and sat with Amole for a week to rework it. During this time, while they were rewriting the script, Aamir had a change of heart and decided to give Amole a chance at direction, seeing his conviction and emotional connection to the story.
Amole took the reins as director and started shooting the film with the child actors. While Aamir wasn't involved during the first week of filming, his team raised an alarm over Amole's direction and asked Aamir to view the rushes. After watching the footage, Aamir found the direction amateurish and decided to replace him.
Sharing the same, he said, 'Rushes were amateurish, according to me. I didn't like the rushes at all.' Aamir recalled confronting Amole and even offering to back out of the film both as an actor and producer, willing to bear all the expenses incurred during the first week of shooting as he wasn't convinced with Amole's direction.
He said, 'Amole called the rushes 'golden'. If he would have admitted that his work as a director is falling short, I would have given him a second chance but at that time I realised our thinking is very different.' He added, 'I told Amole that my confidence on you as a director is finished. I am giving this subject back to you, make this film somewhere else. I can't work on this as an actor or producer. I will write all the expenses I have incurred on this.'
Aamir admitted that Amole asked 'for a second chance,' but he refused to grant it. Later, Amole backed out as director himself. While they were still looking for someone to direct the film, Aamir shared that it was Amole who suggested that Aamir should take on the role of director.