If one is vigilant enough, then he should be able to spot little Aamir Khan as one of the three kids in Yaadon Ki Baraat- title song. This cute- looking kid came of age in 1988 with a super-hit debut film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. Aamir’s father – Tahir Hussain – (brother of the film mogul Nasir Hussain) and his (Aamir’s) cousin Mansoor Khan teamed up as a producer and director respectively to make this film.

With Salman and Shahrukh (No relations of his!), Aamir makes a dashing Khan- trio at the box- office. But from a purely critical angle, Aamir stands out among the three. None of Salman’s chest-bearing antics and Shahrukh’s studied histrionics, Aamir scores with restrained, natural performances and those “Talking” eyes.

After the initial spree of signing whichever movie that came his way, Aamir quickly realized his folly and has become a choosy actor who keeps his fans waiting for his next release. His range is exceptional and his roles in Dil, Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Dil Hai Ki Maanata Nahi, Rangeela, Raja Hindustani, Andaz Apna Apna, Sarfarosh, Dil Chahta Hai and Lagaan have time and again proved his versatility and ability to switch his images at will. The last-mentioned film, an Oscar- nominee will always remain a feather in his cap.

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak featured Aamir with Juhi Chawla – both debutantes, as a romantic pair. Coming from feuding families, their love is doomed from the beginning but they gamely carry on, notwithstanding the family’s ire. The final tragic end – reminiscent of Romeo- Juliet saga and Anand- Milind’s superb music (Papa Kahete Hain and Akele Hain) made this film a super- hit and a kind of path-breaker love story.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander is a refreshingly different subject, focusing on an annual cycle race between two rival schools. Aamir’s role as a good for nothing truant who has to step into his big brother’s cycling shoes at eleventh hour, thanks to a staged accident. He manages to win the elusive trophy and also realizes the value of true love (Aayesh Zulka). It’s a feel- good movie – perhaps the first ever sports movie in Hindi.

In Akele Hum, Akele Tum, Aamir plays a husband too wrapped up in making a career as a singer, neglecting his son and wife (Manisha Koirala). The wife, a good singer herself, gets a break as an actress to become a star and leaves him to look after his son. Coping with his failures, he becomes an ideal father and then has to face a custody battle in court. Although it was a flop, it ranks as one of Aamir’s best roles.