- >>
TOKYO: Aamir Khan made a sensational appearance when he arrived at the recently concluded Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) to screen his film “Dhoom 3”, after its sensational run in India and elsewhere. The celebrity arrangements made specially for him, as well as the rousing reception and cheering he invoked at this packed screening and press conference provided abundant proof that he is now an established marquee name in Japan, and is there to stay.
Aamir Khan, director Vijay Krishna Acharya and Avtar Panesar of Yashraj Films landed in Tokyo for the October 29 premiere of their film at the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival. All three high profile guests of the festival were present to boost the festival’s single screening of “Dhoom3”: as well as its December 5 release all over Japan by the major distributing company, Nikkatsu Corporation. Nikkatsu and Toho-Towa Co Ltd have launched Golden Asia a specialty label dedicated to distributing blockbuster Asian films.
DHOOM:3 marks the first Indian film in Japan to be released in 100 screens, which is the biggest scale there for an Indian film ever. India's premiere studio Yash Raj Films for the second time tied up with Nikkatsu - their regular distribution partners in Japan - for this landmark release. Yashraj was earlier involved with Nikkatsu on the release of the “Three Idiots”, which on its release, in Japan in June 2013 went on to collect around ¥100 million (approx 52 million rupees) in just the first two weeks of its run. This is the film that made Aamir Khan the country’s popular name and face that he is today
The dashing Aamir Khan and his dapper, poised director Vijay Krishna Acharya were centre stage at a crowded Press Conference held prior to their equally packed and brimful-with-excitement public screening. Aamir gracefully admitted that he was really surprised at being known to the Japanese public. Director Acharya then disarmed the media by his extensive knowledge of early to present-day Japanese cinema and how much he was drawn to it. Both Aamir and Vijay said they would be delighted to make a film in Japan. The two endeared themselves completely to the hundred-strong journos they faced. At the end a snazzy, sturdy motorbike was brought into the room – the kind presumably used by Aamir in his stunt sequences in “Dhoom:3”. The two perched themselves on it for the photo-op.
When asked whether he feared the dizzy action shots in breathtaking heights or other dare-devil feats when making his films, Aamir said, “No, we are geared for these stunt acts. While they are a challenge, we all know on the sets how to manage and control our performance. (Then, somewhat sheepishly) To tell you the truth what really scares me are the dance numbers. I find them really difficult – dancing does not come naturally to me. I have to practice the steps and movements a hundred times …”
On why “Three Idiots” and now presumably “Dhoom:3” offer such a draw to the Japanese public: “The production values of course are superb and the film is full of action, danger, excitement, romance, but more than that, the film has an emotional core and a heart to it – I think this is what lifts the film and takes it to people worldwide”.
On what makes him select such different, challenging roles and scripts: “ I always read a script as if I am the audience, not as if it is me, as myself, taking it in. For me, above all, the script must touch me. The script must appeal to me organically and at an emotional level. If the script does all that, I cannot resist it. I am there.”
On essaying roles so much younger than he is – such as that of a student in “Three Idiots”: I was really phased when I was asked to play a young man barely in his 20s when in fact I was past 40 at the time. Well, I set aside my doubts. I trust my director. He had every confidence that I could. And if he saw this younger side of me; I felt I should go with it.”
Finally, on what his first trip to Japan meant to him: “I am here with my wife Kiran and our three-year old son. We are spending a whole week here in this lovely city – Tokyo – to see the wonder intrinsic to it. Kiran has been researching all the aspects of the city and we have a rich agenda before us. We intend enjoy every minute of our stay”.
By the way, the team of Nikkatsu Corporation are currently in Mumbai for a ten day stay to negotiate the rights in advance for Aamir Khan’s upcoming film “PK”, due to release in India on December 19, 2014. This will mark Aamir Khan’s star presence in Japan with his third release, following “Lagaan” and “Three Idiots”, in that country.
