Published By: Sayan Paul

Birthday Special: Aamir Khan's Passion for Sports - From Lawn Tennis to Cricket

Besides cinema, Aamir Khan has a strong enthusiasm for sports.

While the world knows Aamir Khan as a brilliant actor and producer, there are many lesser-known sides to him as well. One of them is his undying passion for sports. Well, it’s certainly no coincidence that some of his most iconic films - from 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' to 'Lagaan' to 'Dangal' - are based on sports. But what many are unaware of is that his love for sports isn't just for the sake of cinema; it comes from within. During his teenage years, he was incredibly into this field and even played at a professional level. His discipline, determination, and never-give-up attitude, which define his position in the industry, were shaped by that.

Speaking about the importance of sports in his career, the superstar shared in an interview with PTI, "... Whatever I am today, sports has had a huge contribution. My focus, the way I have applied that, and the passion I bring to my work - all have come from it."

Aamir Khan as wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat in ‘Dangal’

Today, as Khan turns 60, we celebrate him by highlighting his never-ending love for various sports.

Lawn Tennis

Before pursuing an acting career, Khan was a lawn Tennis player. During the 1980s, he played professionally in state-level tournaments and became a state-level tennis champion. At that time, he aspired to make a career in lawn Tennis.

Notably, in his interview with commentator Vijay Amritraj at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, he shared why he had quit Tennis despite being so passionate about it. He said, "I don’t think I could have ever made it to any significant level, but I really enjoyed the game, so I had a lot of fun while playing it. And then one fine day, my dad decided that I should stop playing, so I stopped."

(Credit: Aamir Khan World)

In 2014, he participated in an exhibition match for the International Premier Tennis League, playing doubles with icons such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, as well as Sania Mirza.

(Credit: Indian Tennis Daily (ITD))

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is another sport close to Aamir Khan's heart. He has actively engaged with the game in various ways and has played a key role in promoting it on international platforms.

The superstar's association with Kabaddi goes back to his school days. In National Geographic's documentary, 'Kabaddi: Khel India Ka', he shared how integral the sport was to his upbringing. He said, "... My first memory of Kabaddi is when I was in school. It's a very exciting game. You can play it anywhere. You don't need any equipment. You just need a bunch of guys who are enthusiastic."

(Credit: National Geographic India)

He has been a supporter of the Pro Kabaddi League ever since its beginning. In 2014, he attended the opening ceremony of the Pro Kabaddi League, along with Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and others. And in 2016, during the inauguration of the third season of the tournament, he delivered a heartfelt rendition of the national anthem.

Cricket

One of Khan’s greatest films, 'Lagaan', has cricket as its central theme. Watch the film closely, and you’ll feel that he’s not just acting here. His passion for the sport shines through in almost every scene, making it feel more real than fiction!

The superstar has been passionate about cricket ever since his childhood. And despite his busy schedule, he often attends international cricket matches and cheers for team India. He has often expressed his admiration for Sachin Tendulkar (needless to say, the admiration is mutual), and described the 2011 Cricket World Cup final as one of his most emotional experiences.

(Credit: indiancricketteam)

"Whenever the Indian team is on the field, there is a feeling inside. Had I been a part of the Indian cricket team it would have been a matter of pride, no matter what position I would be in. I think my most memorable match would be the 2011 World Cup final, which India won, it was a special day for us and nobody would forget that," said Khan in his interview.

Besides these, Aamir Khan is also passionate about football, wrestling, and badminton among others.