Whenever someone thinks of actor Aamir Khan, the term 'perfectionist' pops up in the mind almost like an extension to his name. For the actor, who has worked relentlessly for almost 35 years and given hits such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Dil, Raja Hindustani, Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Dangal, PK and many others, it is natural for audience to expect more from him with every release. However, his fans were shocked in November 2022 when the actor announced that he will take a break from acting to spend time with his family. While he is known to be thorough with every film and dives into research which takes years for his films to release, announcing a break from facing the camera was not something that anyone expected the actor to do. The announcement came on the heels of his last release, Laal Singh Chaddha's disastrous box office performance. Was this a calculated move? Would it help his creativity or affect the brand of Aamir Khan are some questions still lurking in the minds of many. While Aamir's films have broken box office records in India and outside, his last few releases like Thugs of Hindostan and Laal Singh Chaddha underperformed at the box office. While this can be taken as a hint for Aamir to step back and refuel his creative engines, his colleagues feel that it can never harm the brand that the actor has built for himself over the years. Filmmaker Kunal Kohli, who directed Aamir in 2006 film Fanaa, says that while it is no one's place but Aamir's to decided if taking a break from the camera is a good decision or not, talented actors like him can re-claim the top-spot any day. Kunal told indianexpress.com, "One has to respect one's creative process but if this is his (Aamir) process then be it. I don't think it will hamper his career graph because talents like Aamir can shine and will shine at any age. Shah Rukh Khan has given the biggest hit of Indian cinema at 57 years, 58 or whatever his age his. Age does not matter, not when you have talents like Aamir or Shah Rukh." When Aamir had announced his break at an event in Delhi, he said, "I am looking at the next year and a half in which I am not actually working as an actor and I will be working as a producer. When I am doing a film as an actor, I get so lost in that and nothing else happens in my life. Which is why I decided to take a break. I want to be with my family. With my mom, with my kids. I feel like I have been working for 35 years and I feel I have been single-mindedly focused on my films and it is not fair for the people who are close to me." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions) Since Aamir's process in every film is so intense and involved, his decision to have time off is also well deserved, feels actor Mona Singh, who shared the screen with the actor in Laal Singh Chaddha and played the role of his mother. She says, "We know that Aamir sir is a perfectionist and he goes to great lengths to prepare for his movies. You know when it is an Aamir Khan film, he will make you stop in your tracks and make everyone feel what he is feeling, and appreciate what is created . During Laal Singh I saw that he is not only mentally but also emotionally invested in every project. His dedication towards his craft is beyond our imagination, so when a person like him needs a break, it’s justified. Breaks are like sleep and food. It’s good for your overall well being and I wish him good health and happiness always." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions) Trada analyst Taran Adarsh says, "You do feel the vacuum. When you see that a leading actor is not working, something is not okay and you start missing that actor." However, he asserts that when it comes to actors such as Aamir Khan or Shah Rukh Khan, no one can write them off. He adds, "There are hiccups in everyone's life, may be Thugs of Hindostan didn't do well, or Laal Singh Chaddha didn't do well but Aamir had delivered such major hits in the past, that you cannot write him off as an actor. The media is quick to write an obituary of an actor and it's wrong. Look at how Shah Rukh Khan bounced back or how Salman Khan bounced back with Wanted at that point of time. So, never underestimate these actors who have contributed so much and who have such a big fan following and solid work behind them. So, I feel Aamir should return to working and his work releases after a few years. The trade expert would certainly like to see Aamir on the big screen again. He says, “Aamir is the right person to comment on this but if he is taking the break, then I don't think this is the right decision in my humble opinion because I feel that an actor should not take a long breaks. Fine he has not had a hit in the last two three films, but you can always do a film you can believe in and return with a bang.” Recently Pankaj Tripathi shared in an interview that he sometimes wants to slow down and do less work. Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan, who recently delivered the blockbuster Pathaan, had also announced a break after his film 2018 film Zero didn't do well. Do all creative minds reach a saturation point? Kunal says it's a personal thing. He further explains that, "It can happen at any point in time. You never know when you reach creative saturation and you want a little bit of a break. That is a pretty personalised thing, but what's great is that he has recognised that he needs to step back a bit, re-evaluate certain things that are stopping him."
