Aamir Khan recalls 12-year-old Kareena Kapoor on 'Andaz Apna Apna' sets
Synopsis
Before '3 Idiots' and 'Talaash', there was a 12-year-old Kareena tagging along to her sister Karisma's film set — and a young Aamir Khan who simply thought she was 'really cute'. The Koffee With Karan throwback is a rare, unscripted glimpse into how one of Bollywood's most enduring on-screen partnerships began.
Key Takeaways
Aamir Khan recalled first meeting Kareena Kapoor as a 12-year-old on the sets of 'Andaz Apna Apna' in the mid-1990s.
Kareena would visit the set with her sister Karisma Kapoor , who starred in the film.
The anecdote was shared during a joint appearance on Koffee With Karan .
Kareena said Aamir's obsession with perfection could 'sometimes be a bit annoying.' The two went on to collaborate in '3 Idiots' (2009) , 'Talaash' (2012) , and 'Laal Singh Chaddha' (2022) .
Bollywood's self-proclaimed perfectionist, Aamir Khan, once shared a charming memory of first encountering Kareena Kapoor Khan as a wide-eyed 12-year-old on the sets of the 1994 comedy classic 'Andaz Apna Apna', where her sister Karisma Kapoor was among the leading ladies. The anecdote resurfaced from the duo's memorable appearance on Koffee With Karan, reminding fans how far their on-screen journey has come.
The First Impression
During the Koffee With Karan episode, Kareena turned the spotlight on Aamir with a pointed question: 'What was your first impression of me?' Aamir's response was warm and candid. 'My first impression of her was this really cute girl of 12 years old who was sitting on the sets of Andaz Apna Apna. And she used to come with Karisma. And she used to look at us like this,' he said, mimicking a young Kareena covering her face with both hands in wide-eyed amusement.
What Annoys Kareena About Aamir
The conversation took a playful turn when Aamir asked Kareena what annoyed her most about him. Bebo did not hold back. 'I think it's just that thing for perfection. Which is not wrong, but like... It's just that extra thing. That has to be like this, means it has to be. Till that doesn't happen, he wants that. So that sometimes can be a bit annoying,' she said. The remark was a light-hearted nod to Aamir's well-known reputation for obsessive attention to detail — a trait that has earned him the moniker 'Mr Perfectionist' across the industry.
A Decade of On-Screen Collaborations
What began as a childhood visit to a film set eventually grew into one of Bollywood's more celebrated screen partnerships. Aamir and Kareena first shared the screen in director Rajkumar Hirani's blockbuster '3 Idiots' in 2009, where Aamir played the iconic role of Rancho and Kareena essayed the character of Pia. The film went on to become one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of its era.
Three years later, in 2012, the two reunited for director Reema Kagti's psychological mystery thriller 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within'. Aamir portrayed Inspector Surjan Shekhawat, while Kareena played the enigmatic Rosie. The film also featured Rani Mukerji in a lead role and was widely praised for its restrained, atmospheric storytelling.
Their Last Screen Outing Together
Their most recent collaboration came in 2022 with 'Laal Singh Chaddha', the Hindi adaptation of the Hollywood classic 'Forrest Gump'. Aamir played the titular character Laal Singh Chaddha, while Kareena featured as his love interest, Rupa D'Souza. The film's reception was mixed, but the pair's chemistry remained a talking point among fans. From a starstruck child on a film set to a co-lead in three major productions, Kareena and Aamir's arc in Hindi cinema is a story in itself — one that continues to resonate with audiences.
Point of View
And Aamir's candid recollection humanises a star whose public image is almost entirely built on calculated craft. What mainstream coverage misses is the subtle irony: the man who obsesses over every detail in his films admits his very first impression of a future collaborator was as simple and unguarded as 'really cute'. For audiences, it is a reminder that even the most constructed personas in the industry began somewhere spontaneous.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Aamir Khan first meet Kareena Kapoor?
Aamir Khan first met Kareena Kapoor when she was around 12 years old and visited the sets of 'Andaz Apna Apna' in the mid-1990s, accompanying her sister Karisma Kapoor, who was a lead actress in the film.
What did Aamir Khan say about young Kareena Kapoor on Koffee With Karan?
Aamir said his first impression of Kareena was of 'a really cute girl of 12 years old' sitting on the sets of 'Andaz Apna Apna', who would watch the cast with both hands covering her face in amusement.
How many films have Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor done together?
Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor have appeared together in three films: '3 Idiots' (2009), 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within' (2012), and 'Laal Singh Chaddha' (2022).
What roles did Kareena Kapoor play in her films with Aamir Khan?
Kareena played Pia in '3 Idiots', the mysterious Rosie in 'Talaash', and Rupa D'Souza — Aamir's love interest — in 'Laal Singh Chaddha'.
What does Kareena Kapoor find most annoying about Aamir Khan?
On Koffee With Karan, Kareena said Aamir's relentless pursuit of perfection — his need for things to be exactly as he envisions — can 'sometimes be a bit annoying', though she acknowledged it was not inherently wrong.
