Aamir Khan and Mani Ratnam are two of the most important names in Indian cinema, yet they have never worked together on a film. That is about to change in Lajjo — an adaptation of Ismat Chughtai’s iconic short story, Gharwali — had it gotten off the ground.
Lajjo – The Collaboration That’s Never Happened
Aamir Khan revealed in a recent interview the film project that was going to bring him and Mani Ratnam together.
“We almost worked together in Lajjo. But that didn’t happen for three reasons; it had nothing to do with him or me.”
The film would be named after the protagonist of Chughtai’s story – Lajjo – and would have been an incredible cinematic experience. Aamir opted not to go into detail about the obstacles to getting the film made but did express his continued respect for Mani Ratnam:
“I have always been a big fan of Mani Ratnam and always wanted to work with him… I still hope that one day, he and I will work together.”
When Two Visionaries Couldn’t See Eye-to-Eye
The thought of Mani Ratnam adapting Gharwali, with Aamir Khan on board, had long perplexed cinephiles. Considering their distinct styles – Ratnam’s poetic realism and Aamir’s brilliant nuances – before they had directed, acted in, or produced a feminist classic like Lajjo, Ratnam and Khan would have had some cinematic gold.
Of course, Lajjo has also found its place in the growing list of incomplete Bollywood projects, such as other unrealised pairings like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Aamir, or Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh (the latter pre-Dunki).
Aamir Khan’s Current Plans: Sitaare Zameen Par Set for June 20 Release
In the meantime, Aamir is gearing up for his theatrical comeback in R.S. Prasanna’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which is expected to be out on June 20, 2025.
Billed, so to say, as a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par (2007), Sitaare Zameen Par has Aamir appearing alongside Genelia Deshmukh and ten newcomers: Aroush Datta, Vedant Sharma, and Rishi Shahani.
What’s Next for Mani Ratnam?
Meanwhile, Mani Ratnam is dealing with the lukewarm reception of Thug Life, which starred Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan, and Simbu.
Thug Life marked Mani’s reunion with Kamal after their classic cult-film teaming of Nayakan (1987), but Thug Life has been panned (even if it has some following) for its weak writing and uninspired execution.
➤ Also Read: Aamir Khan’s 90-Year-Old Mother Zeenat Hussain & Sister Nikhat To Make Emotional On-Screen Debut In Sitaare Zameen Par
Box Office Worldwide Verdict
When Aamir Khan and Mani Ratnam lose the chance to work together, it is not just the missed opportunity of a single film — it is the loss of a storytelling era.
Lajjo would have been the cinematic collaboration of two greats. We’ll have to settle for a ‘what if’ for now, but their respect for each other is a crack left ajar for some future chance.
With Sitaare Zameen Par offering an emotional return to form for Khan and Ratnam hopefully untangling himself (and, we presume, his exquisite teams) from Thug Life, perhaps fate will still align their paths to celluloid again.
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