Aamir Khan had previously issued multiple apologies across various platforms for the portrayal of women in his films, acknowledging the objectification and expressing regret.
Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film “Animal,” featuring Ranbir Kapoor, received considerable success last year. Nevertheless, it garnered criticism for what some perceived as sexism and the endorsement of toxic masculinity. In response to filmmaker Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan’s ex-wife, who expressed her concerns about the movie, Sandeep suggested in a recent interview that she should first critique Aamir’s films.
Vanga pointed out a scene in the film “Dil,” where Aamir’s character threatens a woman with assault, yet they eventually fall in love. In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, addressing Kiran Rao, Vanga stated, “I want to tell that woman to go and ask Aamir Khan about the song ‘Khambe jaisi khadi hai,’ what was that? Then come back to me.”
Nevertheless, online videos have resurfaced showing Aamir Khan apologizing for the specific song and its lyrics. In an interview with Aaj Tak, the actor remarked, “Hindi films have not been responsible enough, especially the way we project men and women. When we show something wrong in the films, we also show that the result of it is something positive. Which is wrong. And we often make the women an ‘item’ in films. Even the songs are like ‘tu cheez badi hai mast mast’. And even I am involved in this, and I have done such films. ‘khambe jaisi khadi hai, ladki hai ya chadi hai.’ We are calling women ‘khamba’ but not humans. I am very ashamed of it.”
On an episode of “Koffee with Karan,” Aamir Khan spoke out against the longstanding exploitation of women, both in films and in real life. Commending the courage of women who speak up, Aamir acknowledged the role of films, including his own, in promoting such behavior. He also highlighted the patriarchal nature of societies, including in India.
He admitted that it took him time to realize the impact of such actions and reflected on his own contribution to this issue. Aamir Khan cited the song “Khambe Jaisi Khadi Hai” as an example, acknowledging it as a form of objectification.
In acknowledging the patriarchal nature of many societies, Aamir Khan stated, “A lot of societies in the world are patriarchal. India is one of them, and the way we objectify women in our films, I have said it on my show Satyamev Jayate, I have done it. I have sung a song ‘Khambe Jaisi Khadi Hai’. Literally, objectifying women in every sentence. So, it is awful that we have been doing it.”