Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who has been one of the most prominent faces of Indian cinema for over three decades, recently opened up about his emotional journey and the time when he considered stepping away from films altogether. Known for his incredible versatility both as an actor and a filmmaker, Khan revealed that there was a period in his life when he almost announced his retirement from the industry, seeking to prioritize his personal life over his professional commitments.

In a candid joint interview with his ex-wife Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan spoke about how, a few years ago, he came to a deeply reflective moment in his life, one that led him to consider stepping back from the film industry. He explained that the decision to take a break from films wasn’t born out of any dissatisfaction with cinema or the industry but rather a sense of guilt and a longing for personal connections that he felt had been neglected due to his intense focus on his career.

“I decided to quit before Laal Singh Chaddha. I was going through a personal journey of my own,” Aamir Khan said, recalling the period when he made the decision. According to him, the realization hit him towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he had a lot of time for self-reflection. He shared how, after spending the bulk of his adult life immersed in the world of cinema, starting from the age of 18, he found himself feeling disconnected from his family and loved ones.

Khan explained, “All of my bandwidth and focus has been on cinema and films. As a result, I felt that I hadn’t been there enough for my relationships – my kids, siblings, and family. Whether it was Kiran or Reena when I was married to them. I felt that I wasn’t there for these people enough.”

This realization brought with it a sense of guilt, as he felt he had sacrificed a lot of his personal life and family relationships in pursuit of his career. Aamir, who has always been known for his dedication and perfectionism in his work, admitted that this imbalance had begun to weigh heavily on him. “I felt a lot of guilt and didn’t feel good about what I had done,” he added. “I’ve done enough films in the past 35 years; I can now focus on my family.”

When he shared his feelings with his family, Aamir Khan recalled that the moment was emotional but also significant in terms of his personal growth. “So, I sat my family down and told them that I want to quit films and spend time with you all. That was my reaction, it wasn’t out of any disappointment from the cinema.” This heartfelt admission from one of the most successful filmmakers of his generation highlighted the internal conflict he was grappling with.

However, the most surprising part of his decision came from his children, Junaid and Ira Khan, who urged him to reconsider. Aamir explained, “Junaid and Ira convinced me not to quit. Junaid said, ‘Why do you have to go from one extreme to the other? There is a space somewhere in the middle where you can be in.’ They explained that to me, and I came back.” Despite his internal struggles, his children’s wise advice helped Aamir see that there was a balance to be struck. Instead of quitting altogether, he could still maintain his involvement in films while making more time for his family.

“I came back,” Aamir smiled, revealing that while he had initially thought about quitting, no major practical changes came from the decision. “So, no one knew that I had quit,” he added with a hint of humor. “It was just my personal journey.”

This moment of introspection and family support underscores Aamir Khan’s deep commitment to his loved ones and his desire to lead a more balanced life. It also highlights how even the most successful individuals face moments of doubt and questioning, and how important it is to have family support during such periods.

While his family was instrumental in helping him navigate this phase of his life, Aamir Khan’s love for cinema remains undiminished. He continues to remain an active presence in the industry, and his fans eagerly anticipate his upcoming projects. On the acting front, Aamir Khan will soon be seen in the self-produced film Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual sequel to his much-loved 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. The new film, which also stars Genelia Deshmukh and Darsheel Safary, is scheduled to release in theaters on December 25. It’s expected to capture the same heartfelt and inspiring storytelling that Khan has become known for, continuing his legacy as one of Bollywood’s most impactful figures.

As Aamir Khan moves forward in his career, it is clear that his journey is no longer solely defined by his work in films, but by his commitment to finding a balance between his personal life and his professional endeavors. His openness about his struggles and his personal growth not only adds a new layer to his public persona but also serves as an inspiration to many, showing that even the most successful and accomplished individuals can face moments of doubt and change—and that it’s never too late to re-evaluate what truly matters.