Aamir Khan maintains distance from son Junaid's scripts, backs independent career path
Synopsis
Aamir Khan's parenting philosophy diverges sharply from Bollywood's typical star-kid playbook. By staying out of Junaid's career decisions — from LA theatre training to anonymous auditions to his Aditya Chopra debut — Aamir has allowed his son to build credibility independent of his towering shadow. It's a quiet statement about legacy and earned success in an industry built on shortcuts.
Key Takeaways
Aamir Khan does not read Junaid Khan's scripts or interfere in his professional choices.
Junaid trained in theatre at a Los Angeles institute for two years before returning to Mumbai .
Junaid attended auditions anonymously, keeping his identity as Aamir Khan's son confidential from casting directors.
Junaid's film debut came through director Aditya Chopra in Maharaj , which Aamir learned about after the fact.
Junaid recently starred opposite Sai Pallavi in Ek Din , produced under Aamir Khan Productions .
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has revealed that he deliberately stays out of his elder son Junaid Khan's professional decisions, refusing to read scripts or leverage his industry standing to advance the younger actor's career. Speaking with comedian Kapil Sharma, Aamir underscored Junaid's determination to build his own trajectory without paternal intervention.
Junaid's independent path
Junaid trained in theatre at a Los Angeles institute for two years, performed in plays for a year, and returned to Mumbai to establish his own theatre company. He attended auditions anonymously, keeping his identity as Aamir Khan's son confidential from casting directors and industry gatekeepers alike. Aamir said, "No, I don't read Junaid's scripts. He doesn't even want me to interfere in his career. He went to Los Angeles to learn theatre. He studied there for two years and did plays for a year. Then he came back and started a theatre in Bombay. He used to go to auditions for casting directors. At that time, no one knew that he was my son."
Debut through Aditya Chopra
Junaid's film debut came through director Aditya Chopra, who cast him in Maharaj — a project Aamir learned about only after Chopra had signed his son. Aamir recalled: "One day I got a call from Aditya Chopra. He said that he is taking Junaid in a film, 'Maharaj'. I got to know about this film from the outside. He did a good job. So he made his own career."
A father's pride and restraint
Aamir credited Junaid with refusing material support, including offers to purchase a car. The actor reflected on their bond, describing intimate moments of physical affection that ground him emotionally. "It's a very odd thing that I always hug my kids," Aamir shared. "When he was small, it was easy, and now he is 6 feet 2 inches. But even today, when I hug him closely and keep his head on my chest, I can't even tell you how much peace I feel."
Recent film work
Junaid has since appeared opposite Sai Pallavi in the recently released film Ek Din, directed by Sunil Pandey. The film is produced under the Aamir Khan Productions banner by Aamir Khan, Mansoor Khan, and Aparna Purohit, marking a reunion between Aamir and filmmaker Mansoor Khan. The film is currently in theatrical release.
Point of View
Aamir's hands-off approach to Junaid's career stands out — not as indifference, but as discipline. By letting Junaid train abroad, audition anonymously, and build a theatre practice first, Aamir has allowed his son to accumulate credibility that his surname alone could never buy. The result: when Junaid does land a role, it carries earned legitimacy rather than the stale whiff of nepotism. That's a rarer gift in Bollywood than a film deal.
NationPress
4 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Aamir Khan read Junaid Khan's scripts?
Aamir Khan has stated that Junaid explicitly does not want him to interfere in his professional decisions. Junaid prefers to build his career independently and has made it clear he will not accept paternal intervention in his acting choices.
How did Junaid Khan prepare for his acting career?
Junaid Khan trained in theatre at a Los Angeles institute for two years, performed in plays for a year, and then returned to Mumbai to establish his own theatre company. He attended film auditions anonymously without revealing his identity as Aamir Khan's son.
How did Junaid Khan get his film debut?
Junaid Khan's film debut came through director Aditya Chopra, who cast him in Maharaj. Aamir Khan learned about this opportunity only after Chopra had already signed his son, indicating Junaid secured the role independently.
What is Junaid Khan's recent film?
Junaid Khan recently starred opposite Sai Pallavi in Ek Din, directed by Sunil Pandey and produced under the Aamir Khan Productions banner by Aamir Khan, Mansoor Khan, and Aparna Purohit. The film is currently in theatrical release.
