Twenty-five years after its release on January 7, Mela is still remembered — if not for its craft, then for the story behind why Aamir Khan chose to do it. Known for being extremely selective about his films, Aamir took on the much-criticised Mela primarily to launch his younger brother, Faisal Khan. The film’s legacy is as much about family and fallout as it is about the film itself.
Why Aamir chose Mela
Aamir has openly admitted that he did Mela for his brother’s sake. The film was a loud, boorish reworking of Sholay, with Aamir in a comic-book take on Dharmendra’s role and Faisal cast in a clenched-jaw version of Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic character. By his own account, the decision was driven by family loyalty rather than by creative fit.
The fallout: Faisal’s accusations
The family story hasn’t had a neat ending. Since those early days, Faisal Khan has accused Aamir of several transgressions, including illegal confinement and allegedly sabotaging his career. Aamir’s reaction is a mix of resignation and hurt. “Kya karein?” he sighed when asked about it. “That is my destiny. You can fight the world, but how can you fight your own family?”
How Mela performed and Aamir’s response
Mela failed at the box office and drew heavy criticism for its execution and tone. Still, Aamir insists he has no regrets about taking the film on for Faisal. He acknowledges the disappointment but frames it as a shared loss.
“I was obviously disappointed by its failure to achieve its potential. Beyond that, I think it’s tough to answer your question. First of all, let me tell you, every film I do means a lot to me. The failure of Mela definitely made a difference to me. It was hard on Faisal, but it was hard on me as well. I’m not comfortable with the idea of any of my films not realising their full potential. The entire team had worked very hard. We were all disappointed.”
Key points at a glance
- Mela released on January 7 and marks 25 years since its release.
- Aamir Khan took the role mainly to launch his brother, Faisal Khan.
- Faisal later accused Aamir of serious personal and professional wrongs.
- Mela was a Sholay-influenced film that failed at the box office.
- Aamir says he was disappointed but stands by his reason for doing the film.
The lasting impression
Mela’s anniversary brings back more than memories of a commercial flop — it brings into focus the complicated mix of ambition, loyalty and family ties that often shape Bollywood careers. For Aamir, the film remains an emotional moment: a project taken out of duty to family that did not pan out as hoped. For the audience, it remains a cautionary tale about how personal motivations and cinematic choices can collide on screen.
