Long before he earned the title of "Bollywood's Mr. Perfectionist" and shattered global box office records, superstar
Aamir Khan had to rely on sheer grassroots hustle to get noticed. A fascinating throwback video from X (formerly Twitter) currently taking social media by storm has offered fans a rare glimpse into the actor's early struggle days. The vintage footage shows a completely unrecognizable, pre-stardom Aamir walking the hot streets of Mumbai alongside his cousin Raj Zutshi, personally begging auto-rickshaw drivers to paste promotional posters of his 1988 breakthrough film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak on their vehicles; one driver even bluntly rejected the future icon.
'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' poster campaign on Mumbai’s auto-rickshaws
Aamir personally approached auto-rickshaw drivers and requested them to paste the movie’s posters on the back of their vehicles. He was joined by his cousin and co-star Raj Zutshi. Together, they traveled across Mumbai distributing posters and speaking to drivers one by one. The idea was simple but effective. Every moving auto-rickshaw became a mini billboard, carrying the film’s title across the city. One memorable moment from the clip shows a driver turning down the request. That rejection has now become part of Aamir’s inspiring struggle story.
Fans react to the inspiring video
The throwback video has drawn an emotional response online. One fan commented, "From putting posters on autos to becoming Bollywood royalty". Another one commented, "ow.. his voice has changed over the years. This voice is clearly prestardom voice." Another one wrote, "Old struggle stories hit differently after success arrives"
More about 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak'
Released in 1988, 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' introduced both Aamir Khan and
Juhi Chawla as lead actors. The film was directed by
Mansoor Khan in his directorial debut. The story follows two young lovers who fall in love, run away together, and face a tragic fate.