I don't need an award to prove how good my films are

Aamir Khan generally keeps a low profile. But when he does surface, it's with something that we just can't help but pay attention to, be it the cause of dyslexic children, India or Narmada dam.

A few years ago, Aamir mixed the best of India's two obsessions – cricket and films – in “Lagaan”, which became the country’s entry to the Oscars. It also managed to reach the last five in the Best Foreign Film category, a feat only achieved by “Mother India” before it.

More recently, his directorial debut “Taare Zameen Par” not only put forth a message about dyslexic children but also did it in a remarkable way. So no eyebrows were raised when it became the country's official entry for Oscars 2009.

Little wonder then that Aamir is in high spirits these days. In a freewheeling chat, the perfectionist Khan spoke to masala.com about “Taare Zameen Par”, the Oscars experience and more…

Of all the films in the running to become India's entry to the Oscars, which one do you like best?

I haven't seen all the films but I did see ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ and I liked it very much.

You shun popular awards ceremonies in India. Now that Taare Zameen Par is heading for the Oscars how important are film festivals and awards to you?

I don't make films with the goal of sending them to the Oscars or BAFTA or any film festivals. I don't really need an award to prove how good my films are. Those things are secondary to me. What is important is that our films go to the international platform.

‘Mother India’ and ‘Lagaan’ were the only two films that made it to the top five films at the Oscars. Sending our films to the Oscars opens up a larger audience for our films. But that doesn't mean I shun awards or anything. I was happy and honoured when ‘Lagaan’ was chosen for a National Award.

What were your expectations from Taare Zameen Par?

I often show my films to a few family members and friends before and after their release and the response that I got from them for ‘Taare Zameen Par’ was that it should be sent to the Oscars. Ninety nine per cent of the people I showed it to gave me a good response.

Lagaan lost out at the Oscars because it was a very long film. Will you shorten Taare Zameen Par before it goes to the jury at Oscars?

I cannot do that. I have to send the original film. About ‘Lagaan’, most of the jury members liked ‘Lagaan’ and came up to me and told me that they had voted for my film. All the five films that were competing that year came close to the finishing line and somewhere along the way we lost the race.

Why has Ghajini been delayed?

There is no delay. The film's release date has been finalised. A few things had to be put in place so it was pushed to December.

Now that you've turned director and producer, what do you prefer doing – directing, acting or producing?

All the three different aspect of filmmaking are part of my career. But I think I enjoy directing the most. It feels good when I am able to put across my thoughts to the audiences and when the audiences like it. The presentation of a film has to be simple. If you want to put out an emotional story but make it fancy just to win brownie points, it won't work. People will think you don't know your job well.

These days, stars are being targeted by politicians. What do you feel about that?

Such issues that are only meant to garner political attention should not be given much importance. Any leader who tries to divide people on the basis of caste, creed or language should not get any support. I have always said that as wise Indians, we should choose our leaders carefully – those who want to unite our country by bringing peace among its citizens rather than those who believe in the policy of divide and rule.

Will you speak in Marathi at events to avoid your films being targeted?

I was born and brought up in Mumbai and I am a Maharashtrian. I can speak Marathi, but I promote nationalistic feelings. Any film, be it Hindi, Tamil or Telugu, has a right to be released anywhere in the country, even in Maharashtra. It's one country and this is a non-issue. We should respect all the languages and cultures.

We hear that Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor got engaged in Ladakh when you three were shooting there for 3 Idiots. Is that true?

Oh, my god! Why are you people making me the scapegoat? (Laughs) All I heard was that Saif was to come to meet her on her birthday but he hadn't arrived till I left. Maybe, he came after I left. Or they met at some secret place. You better ask them.