How Aamir Khan Almost Quit—and the Director Who Wouldn’t Let Him

It’s not every day that Bollywood’s Mr Perfectionist finds himself on the brink of quitting. But behind the glitz, glamour, and paparazzi flashbulbs, even megastars have their moments of darkness. In a rare, goosebump-inducing moment on To Be Honest With Eshita, director R.S. Prasanna peeled back the curtain on Aamir Khan’s most vulnerable phase—when the actor nearly walked away from cinema forever.

And at the heart of this emotional saga? A friendship built on patience, empathy, and the quiet power of just being there.

When the Lights Dimmed on a Superstar

Let’s rewind to 2022. Laal Singh Chaddha—a project that was meant to be Aamir Khan’s triumphant return—hit the screens amidst high hopes, only to crash into a storm of lukewarm reviews, online boycotts, and venomous trolling. The Hindi remake of Forrest Gump didn’t just underperform; it left a gaping hole in the actor’s spirit.

“He just didn’t want to do it anymore,” Prasanna revealed, his words soaked in compassion.

Let that sink in. Aamir Khan, the man behind Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, and Dangal, was contemplating a silent exit from the industry he helped shape.

Enter: R.S. Prasanna – The Quiet Constant

Now, this could’ve been the end of the story. A legend disillusioned. A film that failed. A fade-out, not a comeback.

But while many in Bollywood turned the other way, Prasanna stayed. Not as a director with a project, but as a human with a heart.

The two had been discussing Sitaare Zameen Par, but as Aamir stepped back, Prasanna didn’t push forward. No persuasive pitches. No dramatic pep talks. Just quiet support.

“He needed time,” Prasanna said. And he let him have it.

A Masterclass in Empathy

In an industry built on speed, spotlight, and success, R.S. Prasanna chose stillness.

While others chased headlines, he waited in the wings, not for the actor to return—but for the man to heal. Theirs wasn’t a relationship built on contracts. It was about connection.

Fun Fact:

During Aamir’s sabbatical, he was often seen travelling anonymously, sometimes even going incognito in small towns to reconnect with reality—something Prasanna fully supported.

Sitaare Zameen Par: A Phoenix Moment

Fast forward to 2025. Sitaare Zameen Par finally hits the big screen.

And guess what? It soars.

With Rs 261 crore at the global box office, it became the third-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, nudging past heavyweights and lighting up cinema halls with hope and heart.

But more than the numbers, it marked a resurrection. Aamir didn’t just return—he reclaimed.

Behind Every Star is a Rock

Aamir’s comeback story wasn’t scripted. It wasn’t orchestrated PR. It was born from silence, resilience, and one person’s decision to stand by him with no expiry date.

“There’s always a moment when you need to know who’s going to stand by you,” Prasanna said. And in Aamir’s darkest hour, he had his answer.

Fun Fact:

Aamir Khan had initially planned to take a full 2-year break post Laal Singh Chaddha. It was only after gentle, months-long conversations with Prasanna that he agreed to revisit Sitaare Zameen Par.

Not All Heroes Wear Costumes

Sure, Aamir Khan’s transformation was remarkable. But let’s take a moment to acknowledge the unsung hero here—R.S. Prasanna. The man who stood beside the star, not because he needed him for a film, but because he understood that sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone is… nothing.

Just show up. Just stay. Just be the rock.

In an industry obsessed with spotlight, Prasanna proved that some of the brightest lights work best behind the scenes.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of R.S. Prasanna in a podcast and he takes full responsibility of this content. Readers are advised to not make any conclusions.