Aamir Khan effect: Whiskers, wigs and big wow moments

Aamir Khan returns to the big screen this month in Sitare Zameen Par, a heart-warming Bollywood remake of the Spanish comedy-drama Campiones. He plays a disgraced basketball coach who takes on an unexpected challenge with a team of individuals with special needs.

Sporting a look unlike any from the past decade, the film – due out on 20 June – adds to the many transformations he has embraced over his career, from shifting hairstyles to dramatic facial hair.

Eastern Eye uses this new role as a chance to revisit the superstar’s evolving on-screen appearances.

Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973): An eight-year-old Aamir Khan made his film debut in a song sequence of this smash hit, produced and directed by his uncle Nasir Hussain. It marked the first time cinema audiences saw him on screen.

The actor’s evolving style from youth to maturity getty images

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988): After working in further films as a child star and assistant director, the baby-faced actor was launched as a leading man with the hit romantic musical. He established himself with that same clean-cut look in subsequent films.

Aamir Khan embracing vintage looks with classic charmgetty images

Baazi (1995): This action thriller failed at the box office but is remembered for Khan dressing in drag. The striking female get-up was arguably the only memorable aspect of an otherwise forgettable film.

Rangeela (1995): In this musical hit, Khan played a street-smart ruffian and debuted a rugged new look with heavy stubble. The image shift helped him fully inhabit the role and showcased a different side of him to audiences.

Bold and dramatic changes defining Aamir Khan’s careergetty images

Ghulam (1998): Heavily inspired by the 1954 Hollywood classic On the Waterfront, this film saw Khan blend ruggedness with a more heroic edge. His portrayal of a hoodlum with boxing skills left a lasting impact.

Dil Chahta Hai (2001): With its fresh haircuts and urban styling, Farhan Akhtar’s directorial debut introduced a new wave of contemporary cool to Hindi cinema. Khan’s image underwent a complete makeover as part of the film’s trendsetting aesthetic.

From rugged to refined Aamir Khan’s versatile appearancesgetty images

Mangal Pandey The Rising (2005): After a four-year hiatus, Khan returned with his most dramatic transformation yet – long hair and an epic moustache that brought to life the spirit of the 19th-century freedom fighter.

Rang De Basanti (2006): This story of youthful defiance gave Khan a refreshed haircut. In historical flashbacks, he adopted other appearances inspired by the past, adding further layers to his portrayal.

Ghajini (2008): In this remake of a Tamil film – itself inspired by Hollywood drama Memento – Khan adopted a dramatic new look with a muscular physique and buzz cut that intensified the film’s emotional and action-driven edge.

Memorable film moments showcasing Aamir Khan’s unique stylegetty images

3 Idiots (2009): Khan turned back the clock in this record-breaking film, transforming his appearance to convincingly play a young engineering student. He changed his weight, hairstyle and mannerisms to suit the role.

Delhi Belly (2011): Producing this crime caper, Khan made a cameo in a song sequence where he donned a retro disco look. Funky glasses, glittery costumes and exaggerated 70s flair helped him stand out in yet another memorable appearance.

Talaash The Answer Lies Within (2012): As a serious police officer, Khan adopted a subdued look – short hair, a neatly trimmed moustache and a haunted expression, completed by a simple police uniform.

Dhoom 3 (2013): To play identical twins with different personalities, Khan adopted a muscular physique, sharp haircut, tight outfits, a bowler hat and intense expressions. This gave him another memorable identity.

Aamir Khan’s blend of classic and contemporary fashiongetty images

PK (2014): Portraying an alien, Khan had to create an entirely unfamiliar look. He did this by pushing out his ears, widening his eyes and pairing innocent expressions with mismatched clothes to enhance the character’s quirky charm.

Dangal (2016): Although he appeared as a younger, muscular version of his character, Khan’s look in this record-breaking movie was defined by older age. He transformed himself with extra weight, grey hair and weather-worn expressions.

Secret Superstar (2017): In this acclaimed film, which he also produced, Khan played a flamboyant music director. Leather jackets, tight trousers, eccentric hairstyles, earrings, facial hair and a rockstar swagger made it one of his most over-the-top looks.

Thugs of Hindostan (2018): The actor pierced his nose for this swashbuckling period film. With long curly hair, a scruffy beard, old-fashioned clothes and roguish expressions, he embraced the character’s mischief and flair.

Aamir Khan’s dedication to authentic character portrayals getty images

Laal Singh Chaddha (2022): In this remake of Forrest Gump, Khan portrayed his character across different stages of life. From clean-shaven youth to a heavily bearded older man, he showcased a broad spectrum of looks in a single film.

Sitare Zameen Par (2025): In the Hindi remake of Campiones, Khan plays a short-tempered basketball coach. After decades of dramatic transformations, the 60-year-old returns to a look that closely mirrors his everyday appearance.

Rang De Basanti (2006): This story of youthful defiance gave Khan a refreshed haircut. In historical flashbacks, he adopted other appearances inspired by the past, adding further layers to his portrayal.

Ghajini (2008): In this remake of a Tamil film – itself inspired by Hollywood drama Memento – Khan adopted a dramatic new look with a muscular physique and buzz cut that intensified the film’s emotional and action-driven edge.

3 Idiots (2009): Khan turned back the clock in this record-breaking film, transforming his appearance to convincingly play a young engineering student. He changed his weight, hairstyle and mannerisms to suit the role.

Delhi Belly (2011): Producing this crime caper, Khan made a cameo in a song sequence where he donned a retro disco look. Funky glasses, glittery costumes and exaggerated 70s flair helped him stand out in yet another memorable appearance.

Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012): As a serious police officer, Khan adopted a subdued look – short hair, a neatly trimmed moustache and a haunted expression, completed by a simple police uniform.

Dhoom 3 (2013): To play identical twins with different personalities, Khan adopted a muscular physique, sharp haircut, tight outfits, a bowler hat and intense expressions. This gave him another memorable identity.

Cinematic milestones reflected in Aamir Khan’s on-screen imagegetty images

PK (2014): Portraying an alien, Khan had to create an entirely unfamiliar look. He did this by pushing out his ears, widening his eyes and pairing innocent expressions with mismatched clothes to enhance the character’s quirky charm.

Dangal (2016): Although he appeared as a younger, muscular version of his character, Khan’s look in this record-breaking movie was defined by older age. He transformed himself with extra weight, grey hair and weather-worn expressions.

Secret Superstar (2017): In this acclaimed film, which he also produced, Khan played a flamboyant music director. Leather jackets, tight trousers, eccentric hairstyles, earrings, facial hair and a rockstar swagger made it one of his most over-the-top looks.

Thugs of Hindostan (2018): The actor pierced his nose for this swashbuckling period film. With long curly hair, a scruffy beard, old-fashioned clothes and roguish expressions, he embraced the character’s mischief and flair.

Laal Singh Chaddha (2022): In this remake of Forrest Gump, Khan portrayed his character across different stages of life. From clean-shaven youth to a heavily bearded older man, he showcased a broad spectrum of looks in a single film.

Sitare Zameen Par (2025): In the Hindi remake of Campiones, Khan plays a short-tempered basketball coach. After decades of dramatic transformations, the 60-year-old returns to a look that closely mirrors his everyday appearance.