Raja Hindusthani
Aamir Khan continued to act in just one or two films a year, an unusual trait for a mainstream Hindi cinema actor. His only release in 1996 was the Dharmesh Darshan intended for commercial blockbuster Raja Hindustani in which he was paired with conflicting Karisma Kapoor.
Best Actor Award
The film received him his first Film fare Best Actor Award, after seven previous nominations, and went on to become the biggest hit of the year, as well as the third highest grossing Indian film of the 1990's. Khan's career had appeared to hit a highland at this point of time, and most of the films to follow for the next few years were only partially successful.
Ghulam
In 1997, he co-starred alongside Ajay Devgn, Kajol and Juhi Chawla in Ishq, which performed well at the box office. The following year, Khan appeared in the moderately successful Ghulam, for which he also did playback singing. John Mathew Matthan's Sarfarosh (1999), Khan's first release in 1999, was also moderately successful, gaining an above average box office verdict.
Mela
The film was highly appreciated amongst the critics and Khan's role as a dedicated, honest and uncorrupted cop engaged in fighting border terrorism, was well received, as was his role in Deepa Mehta's art house film Earth. His first release for the new millennium, Mela, in which he acted alongside his real-life brother Faisal Khan, was both a box-office hit and critical bomb.
Lagaan
In 2001 he appeared in Lagaan. The film was a chief critical and profit-making success, and established a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 74th Academy Awards. Additionally, the film congregated critical acclaim at several worldwide film festivals, in addition to winning numerous Indian awards, including the National Film Awards. Khan himself won his second Film fare Best Actor Award.
Dil Chahta Hai
The film continues to be one of the most popular Hindi films in the west. The success of Lagaan was trailed by Dil Chahta Hai later that year, in which Khan co-starred with Akshaye Khanna and Saif Ali Khan, with Preity Zinta playing his love interest. The film was written and directed by the beginner Farhan Akhtar.
First War of Indian Independence
According to reviewers, the film broke new grounds by showing Indian urban youth as they really are at present. The characters portrayed were recent, charming and multi-ethnic. The film did reasonably well and was a winner generally in urban cities. Khan then took a four year break citing own problems, and revisited in 2005 with Ketan Mehta's "Mangal Pandey: The Rising" playing the title role of a real-life sepoy and a martyr who helped spark the Indian Rebellion of 1857 or the 'First War of Indian Independence'.
Rang De Basanti
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's cherished Rang De Basanti was Khan's first energizing performance in 2006. His role was perilously applauded, earning him a Film fare Critics Award for Best Actor and various nominations for Best Actor. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing films of the year, and was selected as India's official entry to the Oscars. Although the film was not shortlisted as a nominee for the Oscar, it received a nomination for Best Foreign Film at the BAFTA Awards in England.
Fanaa
Khan's work in his next movie, Fanaa (2006) co-starred with Kajol was also appreciated, and the film went on to become one of the highest grossing Indian films of 2006.
Taare zameen par
In 2007, Taare Zameen Par was also produced by him and marked his directorial debut. The film, which was the second offering from Aamir Khan Productions, starred Khan in a supporting role as a teacher who befriends and helps a dyslexic child. It opened excellent responses from critics and viewers alike. Khan's performance was well-received, although he was predominantly highly praised for his directing.
Ghajini
In 2008, Khan emerged in the movie Ghajini. The film was a chief profitable success and became the highest grossing Bollywood movie of that year. For his performance in the film, Khan acknowledged numerous Best Actor nominations at different award ceremonies as well as his fifteenth Film fare Best Actor nomination.
3 Idiots
In 2009, Khan emerged in the commercially and decisively acclaimed film 3 Idiots as Ranchodas Chanchad which became Bollywood's highest grossing film and won multiple Film fare Awards including Best Picture. Around August, 2011, Khan started talks with Siddhartha Basu's BIG Synergy, to host a talk show, similar to the Oprah Winfrey show.
