Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, renowned for iconic films like Lagaan and 3 Idiots, stunned fans by secretly stepping away from the limelight during the Covid-19 pandemic. The actor revealed to BBC News that he quit acting to spend more time with his family, a decision that went unnoticed amid the global slowdown in filmmaking. However, his break didn’t last long, as his children convinced him to return to the industry.

Now, Khan is back with Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies), a satirical film exploring women’s rights and independence. Directed by his ex-wife Kiran Rao, the movie is India’s official submission for the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film category. Khan describes the film as both humorous and socially poignant, addressing topics like domestic violence and gender equity.

The 59-year-old actor, who has spent over three decades in Bollywood, is also working on a slate of new projects, including the highly anticipated Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) and his dream venture, a cinematic adaptation of the epic Mahabharat. Balancing his career with a focus on personal well-being, Khan has embraced therapy and a new routine that ensures he doesn’t work past 6 p.m.

While hopeful about an Oscar win for Laapataa Ladies, Khan remains pragmatic, noting the stiff competition from global cinema. Yet he believes such recognition would be a landmark moment for India’s film industry, which has yet to win the coveted award for Best International Feature Film.