NEW DELHI: In an exclusive interview with The New Indian’s Executive Editor Rohan Dua, Aamir Khan reflected on how his 1999 film Sarfarosh boldly became the first mainstream Indian film to name Pakistan and the ISI as responsible for cross-border terrorism — despite the censor board’s sensitivities at the time.
“Sarfarosh was the first film that directly addressed Pakistan and the ISI,” Aamir said. “I don’t know how many people remember this, but back then there were restrictions. You couldn’t name another country if you were showing it negatively. You had to use terms like ‘neighboring country’.”
He recalled that the film’s director, John Matthew Matthan, was clear about not diluting the narrative. “When Sarfarosh was being made, I asked John, ‘Why not just say Pakistan?’ And he said, ‘There might be trouble with the censor board.’ But we agreed — we should say what is true, and we shouldn’t back down.”
Eventually, after discussion, the censor board allowed it. “During the shoot, we kept it as it was — truthful. And when the issue came up, I explained that if Mr. Advani can say in Parliament that Pakistan sends terrorists, and if ISI’s involvement can be discussed publicly, then why stop us from saying the same in a film? And the censor board agreed.”
Aamir also addressed the rise of online trolling and anonymous negativity in the age of social media. “Actually, social media has changed a lot in the last few years,” he observed. “Many people misuse it. All of us can have a voice, but our identity gets hidden. These people who misbehave, use wrong language, spread only negativity and criticize — they’re called trolls. And trolls follow everyone — be it me, the Prime Minister, or anyone else. But they’re not the real audience. Their job is to spread lies and destabilize.”
Despite this, Aamir expressed confidence in the judgment of his true audience. “I’ve been in public life for 38 years — 35 of them as an actor. People can see what kind of person I am through my films, like Sarfarosh, Satyamev Jayate, or the work I’ve done with Pani Foundation over the last 8–9 years. My audience knows me.”
He added, “There’s no doubt about it. The public knows. Even the trolls know the truth — they just choose to ignore it.”
