This R-Day, Aamir Khan gets the Padma Bhushan. And deservedly so. For, like Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir has ceased to be a mere individual and has grown into an acronym for an Indianism that is aspirational for all Indians.

Technically, he may be an actor who has recently given Indian cinema its biggest blockbuster in 3 Idiots, a film that continues to rewrite box office collections with its worldwide gross that has reportedly crossed over Rs 300 crores. And if that’s not gargantuan enough, 3 Idiots comes after the hard-hitting Ghajini, which also created records with its golden harvest that crossed a 100 crores. But the actor’s appeal transcends his tinsel town image. Like Baba Ranchod Das, the in-house sage and Agony Aunt he exemplifies in 3 Idiots, Aamir has metamorphosed into a flesh and blood beacon of light, beaming out messages with everything he does or doesn’t do.

Consider his list of films over the last few years: Sarfarosh, Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Fanaa, Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots….It’s a veritable listing of Bollywood’s biggest and best films since 1999. Thus, at the outset, Aamir has become a synonym for sterling quality and surefire success. Almost like the ISI mark, a film, which bears Aamir’s name, builds up audience expectations and promises to be either an uplifting experience or a total paisa vasool affair. Ask the actor about the pressure of perfection and he confesses: “Yes, there is a fair amount of pressure and a huge sense of responsibility, but it does keep me on my toes. Of course, sometimes it does frighten me to know that I can’t mess up. Never. But I do like to keep my audience satisfied.”

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