This is an archive article published on March 14, 2025
Aamir Khan at 60: Mona Singh says she’s never seen him throw a tantrum; recalls how he saved 3 Idiots’ delivery scene
In an interview with SCREEN, actor Mona Singh opened up about her experience of working with veteran actor Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots and Laal Singh Chadha, on the occasion of his 60th birthday today.
On Aamir Khan’s 60th birthday today, actor Mona Singh reflected on her experience of working with him in 3 Idiots and Laal Singh Chaddha. Calling him a “perfectionist in the truest sense,” she shared how the actor’s presence of mind save the delivery scene on the sets of the Rajkumar Hirani directorial. During an interview with SCREEN, she also opened up about a visit to his Panchgani farmhouse during the shoot of Laal Singh Chaddha.
Recalling the shoot of the climax scene of 3 Idiots when the baby had to kick before Aamir happily said ‘All Izz Well’, the remote stopped working. “When we were shooting the delivery scene, Raju sir had gotten a team from Germany to make that prosthetic baby for us. It was controlled by battery, there was a remote attached to the baby to kick on time. Suddenly during the scene, the remote conked off and some technical error took place with that baby, and it wasn’t kicking after the delivery,” she elaborated.
Mona added, “It was Aamir sir who suggested to Raju sir that, ‘Mai isko khud hi kardunga neeche ungli se, nobody will know’. He then very nicely did that scene. So, now if you watch that scene, you will actually see he did it for the baby to kick, when he says All Izz Well at the end. Without wasting any time, he came up with the idea and did it effortlessly on screen. Koi aur hota toh they would have said that we want the remote.”
Another film that featured them together was Laal Singh Chadha. “I spent so much time with everyone during that film. We saw each other during the most difficult time of Covid. The film was getting delayed, no shoot, lockdown at home. If my call time was 5 am, he used to be there on the sets by 4 am. He is not the kind of actor who behaves like a star. He never throws a tantrum,” she shared.
The actor revisited the time when the team used to visit his Panchgani farmhouse and continued, “We went to his farmhouse in Panchgani during the shoot. I understood the whole aspect of filmmaking and also planning a music session out of it. He had so many stories to tell us, so many anecdotes about shooting in his early days, and how there were no vanity vans during that time. It was all new for me, I was just soaking it all in.”
Mona ended by sharing how she has grown up watching the actor’s films. “When I watched Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, I was in school. So, I have watched all his movie, I am an ardent fan. My favourite movies are Lagaan, Dangal, and Dil Chahta Hai. There is so much to learn from the man – humble and down to earth. It was really fun shooting the films with him,” she concluded.
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
