Aamir Khan became emotional while discussing the personal sacrifices he made during his decades-long film career at the Singapore International Film Festival on Thursday. The actor recalled how the COVID-19 lockdown made him realize that years of prioritizing work had cost him valuable time with his family. He also shared updates on the potential sequels to ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘Andaz Apna Apna’.Aamir Khan received the festival’s Screen Icon Award from Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Chan Ho-sun. Singaporean comedian Rishi Budhrani moderated the session, which explored the actor’s professional journey, personal regrets and approach to filmmaking.

Aamir Khan breaks down while discussing family

The actor described himself as a workaholic who had spent much of his life immersed in cinema. Although his family had supported his demanding schedule, the pandemic prompted him to reconsider how his priorities had affected his relationships.As quoted by Variety, Aamir Khan said, “When I was sitting in COVID and I was thinking, I said, you know, about 30 years have passed of my life. And it’s okay to work like a madman, completely obsessed with what you’re doing for one year, two years, five years. But if it goes on for 30 years, I mean, you’ve lost your relationships. Your kids have grown up, they’re adults now. So I felt a deep sense of loss,”The actor became tearful and paused before continuing, drawing applause from the audience. He said the realization encouraged him to devote more time to family and close friends over the past four years.“I’m so glad that this thought occurred to me when I was 56 and not when I was 86, when it would be really too late to do anything about it,” he said.

‘3 Idiots 2’: Rajkumar Hirani working on script

Aamir Khan confirmed that director Rajkumar Hirani was developing a script for a sequel to the 2009 comedy ‘3 Idiots’. He said he expected to hear the latest version after returning in the coming weeks.“Well, I’m not allowed to say a lot,” Aamir Khan said. “I think I can say this much, that yes, Raju is working on the script. In fact, hopefully once I’m back in the next couple of weeks, he’s going to narrate the final version to me. So, fingers crossed.”The discussion also touched on ‘Andaz Apna Apna’, Rajkumar Santoshi’s 1994 cult comedy. Asked about a possible sequel, Khan indicated that the filmmaker was working on something but offered no further details.“Well, I know that Raj Santoshi is working on something,” he said. “So let’s see what happens.” When pressed for more information, Aamir Khan added, “Yeah, that’s all.”

Early career struggles shaped his choices

Aamir Khan recalled signing nine films within six months after his 1988 debut, ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’, became a hit. The workload overwhelmed him, and he remembered crying at home to his then-wife Reena as several projects failed.“At that time, mentally and emotionally, I felt like I’m in quicksand. I’m sinking slowly, and the more I’m struggling to get out, the deeper I’m going,” Khan said.He also recalled rejecting a film offered by Mahesh Bhatt because he did not like the script. Reflecting on that decision, he said, “If I had compromised with that and I had been practical, and I had, you know, said, ‘Yes, sir, I’m doing the film,’ I think my entire career would have been a series of compromises,”Aamir Khan later worked with Mahesh Bhatt on ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’ and ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’.Aamir Khan credited the popularity of ‘3 Idiots’ with introducing his work to audiences in China. He acknowledged piracy’s role in spreading the film but said he did not support the practice. He also discussed conducting 50 to 60 test screenings for his films, with 25 people at each session, and recalled that the first screening of ‘Taare Zameen Par’ had gone poorly.On smaller productions, Aamir Khan said he sometimes waives his usual fee and takes a share of the earnings instead, helping protect producers from financial risk.Discussing artificial intelligence, he compared it to visual effects as another filmmaking tool but warned about its effect on employment. “My common sense is telling me that in the short term, for sure, people are going to lose jobs,” he said.On the other hand, Aamir Khan’s previous film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ was released in June 2025 and received good reviews.