Marking its 25th anniversary on January 7, 2026, the Bollywood film Mela continues to evoke discussions, particularly regarding Aamir Khan's motives for taking on the project. Released in 2000, the film starred Aamir Khan, Twinkle Khanna, and Aamir's brother, Faisal Khan. Recent reports have resurfaced Aamir Khan's admission that he primarily did the film to launch his brother Faisal's career in the Hindi film industry.
Mela was directed by Dharmesh Darshan and produced by Ganesh Jain, and was highly anticipated as it reunited Aamir Khan with Darshan after their success with Raja Hindustani. The movie is a masala film that incorporates elements reminiscent of classic Bollywood movies like Caravan and Sholay. The plot revolves around Roopa (Twinkle Khanna), who seeks revenge after her brother is murdered by a terrorist group, and enlists the help of Kishan (Aamir Khan) and Shankar (Faisal Khan).
Despite the hype and expectations, Mela didn't perform well at the box office. Some suggest its release was overshadowed by the success of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, which launched Hrithik Roshan. Dharmesh Darshan, however, refutes claims of the film's failure, stating that it grossed ₹15 crores against a budget of ₹3-5 crores, which was a significant return at the time. He also notes the film's popularity on television and digital platforms, suggesting it has found an audience over time.
Aamir Khan's intentions behind Mela have been a topic of discussion. According to reports, Aamir openly admitted that his primary reason for doing the film was to provide a platform for his brother, Faisal Khan. Faisal himself acknowledged that Mela was intended as a test for him, with Aamir and Dharmesh Darshan collaborating to create a film where both brothers could star. Faisal also revealed that Aamir wanted to help him because during that time, many brothers were working together in films.
The making of Mela was reportedly fraught with challenges. Faisal Khan has spoken about clashes between Aamir Khan and director Dharmesh Darshan, which caused delays. He also mentioned a sense of negativity on set, with changes in the music director and cast members during the film's four-year production period.
Despite its initial failure, Mela holds a unique place in Bollywood history. Some have called it the "most unsuccessful successful film". Dharmesh Darshan noted that the film may have suffered because Faisal Khan's performance was perceived as outperforming Aamir's, which the audience wasn't ready for. Moreover, Mela's failure led to Twinkle Khanna marrying Akshay Kumar.
Mela featured music by Anu Malik, Rajesh Roshan, and Lesle Lewis. The film also had a cameo appearance by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. While Mela may not be considered a classic, it remains a talking point, particularly for its cast, its music, and the circumstances surrounding its creation and reception.
