Bollywood icon Aamir Khan made a compelling case for cross-border cinematic collaboration between India and China at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
Speaking to a global audience, Aamir highlighted the emotional and cultural parallels between Indian and Chinese viewers that have helped his films thrive across both nations.
Nicknamed “Uncle Aamir” by Chinese fans, Khan enjoys rare superstar status in China, where his films like 3 Idiots, Dangal, and Secret Superstar have become box office blockbusters. “The emotional sensibilities of audiences in China are incredibly similar to those in India,” Aamir noted. “Watching Dangal in a Chinese theatre felt no different from watching it here in India — the reactions, the connection, were identical.”
Aamir praised China’s cinematic capabilities, describing its filmmakers, storytellers, and visual artists as “world-class.” He also revealed that talks of an Indo-Chinese co-production have been ongoing for years, but that the time may finally be right to bring such a project to life.
“Bringing together Indian and Chinese talent could create a film with unprecedented global reach, given the combined population and cultural depth of both countries,” he said. “This is not just smart business — it’s an artistic opportunity to tell universal stories.”
His comments are in line with WAVES 2025’s mission to build international creative bridges. With over 10,000 delegates from 90+ countries, the summit is spotlighting the future of entertainment through global partnerships and emerging technologies.
While the session focused on storytelling without borders, Aamir also touched upon his next big release — Sitaare Zameen Par, the spiritual sequel to his 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par. The film, expected to release in December 2025, continues Aamir’s tradition of delivering socially impactful cinema.
His passionate pitch for Indo-China cinematic collaboration also came amid ongoing geopolitical complexities, underlining the power of cultural diplomacy in bridging divides through shared stories.
