Aamir Khan recently revealed why he was initially reluctant to become a producer, citing his father's experiences and the inherent challenges of the role. In a conversation with Komal Nahta on the podcast "Game Changers: The Producer Series," Khan explained that witnessing his father, Tahir Hussain's, career struggles as a producer led him to believe that he never wanted to take on that responsibility.

Khan stated that a producer's role involves immense hard work, significant financial risk, and often, unwarranted criticism. He noted that producers often face non-cooperation from their teams, recalling that his father's film "Locket" took eight years to complete due to these challenges. Seeing this, Khan, who had achieved success as an actor with "Qayamat se Qayamat Tak," felt no need to add the producer's burden to his career. He was content with acting and receiving his fees without the additional stress.

He also recounted giving early interviews where he asserted he would never produce a film, focusing instead on acting and potentially directing. He now believes making such definitive statements was a mistake.

However, Khan's perspective shifted when he encountered the script for "Lagaan". He admired the story but questioned who would produce it with the necessary resources and vision. Inspired by filmmakers like Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy, K. Asif, and Chetan Anand, who fearlessly pursued their creative visions, Khan decided to overcome his hesitation and produce "Lagaan" himself.

Khan shared that he invited his wife and parents for the narration of "Lagaan." Their positive reactions and encouragement convinced him to take the leap. His parents emphasized that good stories are rare and should not be passed up. Despite concerns about the film's unconventional nature and potential expenses, he decided to produce it.

Aamir Khan Productions (AKP) was established in 1999 with the primary goal of producing "Lagaan". Since then, the company has been behind several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including "Taare Zameen Par," "Delhi Belly," and "Secret Superstar". Khan's production house has also supported smaller, experimental films.

Despite some setbacks, Aamir Khan's productions have significantly impacted Indian cinema, redefining box office benchmarks and storytelling approaches. Aamir Khan Productions is now reportedly transforming into an independent studio, with Aamir and his team developing a fresh lineup of projects. The company has appointed Aparna Purohit, former Head of Originals for India and Southeast Asia at Amazon Prime Video, to lead this new phase.

While Aamir Khan initially avoided production due to the perceived risks and challenges, his eventual decision to produce "Lagaan" marked a turning point in his career. It established Aamir Khan Productions as a prominent force in the industry and allowed him to bring compelling stories to the screen.