Aamir Khan has finally addressed the long-standing controversy surrounding his on-screen pairing with Fatima Sana Shaikh in Thugs of Hindostan — a film that drew raised eyebrows because of their previous father-daughter dynamic in Dangal. In a recent interview, the Bollywood superstar broke his silence and defended the casting, calling it a “professional decision, not a personal one.”
In Dangal (2016), Aamir played Mahavir Singh Phogat, a strict yet loving father who trained his daughters, including Geeta Phogat, portrayed by Fatima, to become wrestling champions. The film was a massive success, earning both critical acclaim and emotional connection with audiences. So when the duo appeared together again in 2018’s Thugs of Hindostan — this time as romantic interests — many fans were taken aback.
Addressing the backlash, Aamir explained:
“Actors play different roles. Fatima is a talented professional, and I saw no problem working with her in a different context. It’s the audience that sometimes blurs the line between reel and real.”
He further added that Indian cinema is evolving and so should audience perceptions. “We don’t question when two actors play siblings in one film and lovers in another. Why should this be any different?”
Fatima Sana Shaikh, too, has faced scrutiny and online trolling due to the on-screen shift. Despite rumors linking the two off-screen, both Aamir and Fatima have repeatedly maintained that their relationship is one of mutual respect and creative collaboration.
Social media, however, remains divided. Some fans support Aamir’s stance, calling the backlash “overly emotional and regressive,” while others say the move felt “jarring” due to the cultural weight of Dangal’s impact.
Critics argue that while actors are free to experiment, filmmakers should also be sensitive to the audience’s memory and emotional attachment to characters. In this case, the strong familial bond in Dangal was too memorable to simply erase.
Regardless of the debate, Aamir’s statement seems to aim for artistic freedom — drawing a clear line between performance and personal identity.
As cinema continues to evolve, this controversy raises deeper questions about audience expectations, actor versatility, and the boundaries of storytelling
.
📌 Tags
Aamir Khan Fatima Sana Shaikh, Thugs of Hindostan controversy, Dangal father-daughter, Bollywood casting backlash, Aamir Khan defends role, Fatima Sana Shaikh news, Bollywood on-screen romance, Aamir Fatima rumors, Hindi film debates, TopNews11 entertainment