Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan became emotional during an appearance at the 37th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) on Thursday, October 22, 2026, as he reflected on the personal sacrifices he made throughout his decades-long career. During an ‘In Conversation With’ session, the 61-year-old star spoke candidly about how his intense dedication to filmmaking affected his relationships and family life.
Aamir Khan Reflects on 30 Years of Work and Personal Loss
Speaking about a period of introspection during the COVID-19 lockdown, Aamir Khan revealed that he began looking back at the past 30 years of his life and the consequences of being completely consumed by his profession.
“When I was sitting in COVID and I was thinking, I said, you know, about 30 years have passed of my life,” Khan said, as quoted in multiple reports.
He explained that being deeply involved in work for a year or two, or even five years, might be understandable, but maintaining that level of obsession for three decades can come at a significant personal cost.
“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,” he shared.
The actor became visibly tearful while discussing the realisation and briefly apologised to the audience before regaining his composure. His emotional moment was met with applause.
Khan said the experience made him reconsider his priorities when he was 56. He expressed relief that he had recognised the need for change at that stage of his life rather than much later.
“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.
Over the past four years, the actor has consciously tried to spend more time with his family and close friends, making a greater effort to balance his professional commitments with his personal relationships.
Aamir Khan Recalls Early Career Struggles
The conversation, moderated by Singaporean comedian Rishi Budhrani, also explored some of the difficult experiences Khan faced during the early years of his career.
Recalling the success of his debut hit Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), the actor spoke about how he signed nine films within just six months. However, the projects that followed failed at the box office, leaving him deeply disappointed.
Khan remembered returning home in tears to his then-wife, Reena Dutta, as he struggled to deal with the setbacks. His disappointing run also led to him being labelled a “one-film wonder.”
His recollections offered a glimpse into the challenges behind his eventual success and the emotional pressures he experienced while establishing himself in the film industry.
Aamir Khan Honoured at SGIFF 2026
Earlier in the evening, Khan received the prestigious Screen Icon Award from acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Chan Ho-sun in recognition of his significant creative contributions to cinema.
The festival is also presenting a special screening to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), Khan’s Oscar-nominated film. Director Ashutosh Gowariker joined the actor for the special presentation.
Updates on 3 Idiots 2 and Andaz Apna Apna Sequel
Alongside his personal reflections, Khan shared updates about projects that could bring back some of his most memorable cinematic collaborations.
He confirmed that filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani is working on a script for a sequel to their popular comedy 3 Idiots (2009). Khan expects to receive the final version of the screenplay in the coming weeks.
The actor also mentioned discussions surrounding a possible sequel to the cult comedy Andaz Apna Apna (1994), although further details were not provided.
Khan’s emotional appearance at SGIFF 2026 highlighted the personal challenges that can accompany a demanding film career. His reflections on family, relationships and the importance of reassessing priorities offered audiences a rare, candid look at the experiences behind his public persona.