Taare Zameen Par actor Darsheel Safary opens up about navigating Bollywood post-pandemic without connections, and why he hasn’t approached Aamir Khan for roles.
Darsheel Safary Opens Up About Aamir Khan, Career Journey, and Why He Chooses to Stay Independent
Mumbai, June 23, 2025 —Actor Darsheel Safary, best known for his iconic childhood role in Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par (2007), recently spoke to Mid-day about why he doesn’t seek work from the superstar despite their past collaboration. The now-grown-up actor shared candidly that he has chosen to rely solely on auditions and merit-based casting since the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than reaching out for favors in the industry.
“He’s Not My Brother… I Feel Too Shy” – Darsheel on Not Asking Aamir for Roles
The 26-year-old actor revealed that while some people are surprised he hasn’t asked Aamir Khan for work, the thought makes him uncomfortable.
“People get upset that I don’t ask Aamir for work. But I feel too shy to do that. He is not my brother so I can call him and say, ‘Please get me a script.’ My chosen path has been to [only] send him best wishes, like a text on his birthday. It’s just how I preferred it,” said Darsheel.
He added that working through traditional channels like auditions and screen tests gives both him and filmmakers a better sense of fit for a role.
“Auditions help me understand whether I’m able to do [a role] and also help producers and directors understand if I fit it,” he said.
Post-Pandemic Career Built Without Contacts
Darsheel, who took a break from major film appearances for several years after his debut success, said that every project he’s done post-pandemic has come through zero contacts. This includes roles in independent films and OTT projects, where he continues to hone his craft and build a career on merit.
Aamir Khan’s Return with Sitaare Zameen Par
Darsheel also spoke positively about Aamir Khan’s new release, Sitaare Zameen Par, which many view as a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par. The film, which hit theatres last Friday, has already crossed ₹30 crore in two days, signaling a strong start at the box office.
About Sitaare Zameen Par
- Directed by: RS Prasanna
- Written by: Divy Nidhi Sharma
- Produced by: Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit, Ravi Bhagchandka
- Starring: Aamir Khan as a basketball coach
- Theme: Inclusivity, empowerment, and mentorship
- Plot: Aamir plays a coach who mentors 10 differently-abled youth, helping them build confidence through basketball
- Cast Includes: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Simran Mangeshkar and others
The film marks Aamir’s first on-screen appearance since Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) and carries forward the emotional and social depth audiences loved in Taare Zameen Par.
Legacy of Taare Zameen Par
Released in 2007, Taare Zameen Par told the story of Ishaan Awasthi, an eight-year-old boy struggling with dyslexia, played brilliantly by Darsheel Safary. Aamir Khan not only directed the film but also played Ishaan’s supportive art teacher. The film went on to win national and international acclaim for its sensitive handling of learning disabilities and education reform.
Why This Story Matters
Darsheel’s comments reflect a growing trend among young actors in Bollywood who are choosing to build careers based on authenticity and performance, rather than industry connections. His humility and grounded approach to fame—especially after being launched in a major Aamir Khan production—offer insight into the evolving values of new-generation talent in Indian cinema.
