'Aamir-The activist: reel life scenario replicated in real life

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) In his reel life role in Rakyesh Mehra's 'Rang De Basanti', which won him overwhelming public accolades and rave reviews, he, along with his friends, was seen "waging a lone struggle" against injustice.

For Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, it seems the "reel life" scenario of 'Rang De Basanti' is replicating itself in real life.

For, like his "reel life" avatar, Aamir's "real life activism" of espousing the cause of the oustees of the Sardar Sarovar Dam too has seen the actor "ploughing a lonely furrow" what with none of the film celebrities, barring a few like Diya Mirza, Atul Kulkarni and, more recently, Kunal Kohli, coming out in support for Aamir's gesture.

Even actress Diya Mirza, who vociferously supported the stand taken by Aamir, later clarified that Aamir was not against the dam but only desired that the oustees be settled first.

In fact, many in the industry have termed Aamir's espousal of the NBA cause as nothing but a publicity stunt aimed at cashing in on his image in 'Rang De Basanti' of a protagonist going all out for the sake of a cause.

However, trade observers as well as many like Kunal Kohli, the director of Aamir's forthcoming 'Fanaa' feel that Aamir coming out in support of a cause is out of genuine feeling for the Narmada oustees and not aimed at carrying his 'Rang De Basanti' image forward.

In fact, this is not the first time that Aamir has strived to espouse the cause of the NBA agitationists. Trade sources say that filmmaker Mansoor Khan, the cousin of Aamir Khan who had given him a break in 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' , had, several years ago, proposed to Aamir a movie dealing with the struggle of the Narmada oustees. However, the project failed to make much headway after both Mansoor and Aamir realized the high level of opposition such a film would encounter in political circles.

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