Super Hit or miss...will Aamir's gamble pay off?

There was a time when Shah Rukh Khan was rumoured to be the most powerful person in Bollywood. But that's not the case any longer. The status, though somewhat dubious in its distinction, has now been taken over by Aamir Khan. What Aamir wants, he gets. And what Aamir says, happens!

Bollywood was still reeling under the actor’s decision to postpone the release of his June film Talaash because he was too busy with his forthcoming TV show for Star to promote it, when Aamir knocked the industry for another loop.

News has it that Aamir has requested Yash Raj Films to delay the launch of Dhoom 3 now, in which he plays a negative role, because he isn’t mentally prepared to play the baddie! The film will go on the floors when the actor, who is famous for getting into the skin of his characters, gives a green light to the project. And reports suggest that Aamir will do that only when he acquaints himself sufficiently with the martial arts and boxing, which he wants time to take up and learn.

There are two schools of thought in Bollywood debating Aamir’s recent decisions. One believes that he is taking his superstar status far too seriously. And the other argues that Aamir is a perfectionist. According to the former, Aamir’s decisions, though well intended, are selfish and could affect the production houses and co-stars of his films. However, the latter insists that Aamir has always been on this bent of mind.

Remember he was the first actor to go bald in Bollywood for his role in Ghajini? And, then again for Ghajini, he religiously worked out under a professional trainer for 13 months to show off his awesome eight-pack body for just three minutes in the film? Also for Talaash, the actor who didn’t know how to swim, reportedly learnt it under fitness expert and swimming coach Mickey Mehta for a scene that required him to go underwater. Well, that’s Aamir Khan, always wanting to get it right. Which is all very well. But, industry sources are asking where does that leave Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji, Aamir’s co-stars in Talaash?

For Kareena, Talaash coming hard on the heels of Agent Vinod, her much fancied outing next Friday with beau Saif Ali Khan, was an insurance to fall back upon. While Agent Vinod’s promos do look exciting, will her chemistry with Saif after the couple’s failure to ignite the screens with Kurbaan and Tashan earlier excite the box office now? Hard to say.

So… a safe bet like Talaash with the bankable Aamir Khan (after their hit pairing in 3 Idiots) must have been a reassuring thought for Kareena, who is currently fighting off competition from not just Katrina Kaif but also Vidya Balan. The actress must have additionally been keeping her fingers crossed for Talaash because her last two releases, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and Ra.One, failed to impress the audiences and critics. But with Talaash going to end November, Kareena’s going to be on thin ice for a while.

Ditto for Rani Mukerji, who must have been looking forward to being seen on screen again after the forgotten success early in 2011 of No One Killed Jessica. Now she, too, will have to wait for Talaash to release and signal her return from hibernation.

Then there’s Katrina herself. While Aamir is guaranteed to pull off a power-packed performance whenever he finally gets ready for Dhoom 3, the actress’ schedule may go for a toss as she has three films lined up under the Yash Raj banner – Ek Tha Tiger with Salman, an untitled film with Shah Rukh and Dhoom 3 itself.

Will Aamir Khan’s gambles pay off? For himself, his films, co-stars, the production houses? Time will tell. Nobody is willing to work out the math right now.