Growing up as the son of "Mr. Perfectionist" is probably a weird mix of privilege and immense, crushing pressure. You’d think the child of one of India's biggest superstars would just waltz onto a film set, flash a million-dollar smile, and call it a day. But if you’ve been following the journey of Junaid Khan, Aamir Khan’s eldest son, you know he’s basically done the exact opposite.
Instead of chasing the spotlight with shirtless gym selfies or high-profile airport looks, Junaid spent years in the shadows. He was doing the "un-starry" stuff. We're talking about almost a decade in theatre, traveling in local trains, and auditioning like everyone else. Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing. In an industry obsessed with "launch vehicles," Junaid Khan’s arrival felt less like a calculated explosion and more like a slow, steady burn.
The Maharaj Debut: Why It Wasn’t Your Typical "Star Kid" Launch
When news broke that Junaid would finally make his screen debut in the Netflix film Maharaj (2024), people expected a typical romantic hero entry. They didn't get it. Instead, they got a period drama about the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case. Junaid played Karsandas Mulji, a real-life social reformer and journalist who took on a powerful religious figure.
It was a gutsy move. Most debutants want to look "cool." Junaid chose to look like a 19th-century reformer with a heavy mustache and a lot of dialogue about ethics. The film didn't have an easy path either. Just days before its release, it hit a legal wall with a stay from the Gujarat High Court. But when it finally dropped, the conversation shifted from the controversy to the performance.
Critics were surprisingly kind, especially regarding his restraint. While he's got his father’s eyes, his acting style is notably more internal. He isn't trying to be Aamir 2.0. He’s just Junaid.
More Than Just One Son: The Aamir Khan Family Tree
While Junaid is the one currently making waves in the news, he’s part of a pretty complex, modern family structure. Aamir Khan has three children, and they’re all at very different stages of life:
- Junaid Khan: The eldest, born to Aamir and his first wife, Reena Dutta, in 1993. He’s the one currently leading the charge in front of the camera.
- Ira Khan: Also from Aamir’s first marriage. She’s famously stayed away from acting, focusing instead on mental health advocacy and directing theatre. Her wedding to Nupur Shikhare in early 2024 was a massive, heart-warming family reunion.
- Azad Rao Khan: The youngest, born in 2011 to Aamir and filmmaker Kiran Rao via surrogacy.
Azad is still a kid, but he's already a regular in the "tallest member of the family" race. Recently, in late 2025, Kiran Rao shared some adorable photos showing that at 14, Azad has already outgrown her. He’s often seen at screenings with his parents, looking like a carbon copy of Aamir from the Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak days.
The Theatre Grind: Where the Craft Actually Came From
One thing most people get wrong is thinking Junaid just woke up one day and decided to act. He actually started his journey at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. When he came back to Mumbai, he didn't head to a film studio. He headed to Prithvi Theatre.
For years, Junaid was a regular in the Mumbai theatre circuit. He worked in plays like Mother Courage and Her Children and Medea (which his sister Ira directed). He even played a trans woman in the play Strictly Unconventional at the NCPA in late 2024. That’s not the resume of someone looking for a quick shortcut to fame. It’s the resume of someone who actually likes the "work" part of acting.
Aamir himself has been quite vocal about this. He famously told the media that Junaid had to audition for several roles and even got rejected for his own film, Laal Singh Chaddha. Imagine being told you aren't right for a role in your dad’s movie. That’s gotta hurt, but it also shows the kind of "perfectionist" standards the family lives by.
What’s Next for Junaid Khan in 2026?
If 2024 was about proving he could act, 2025 and 2026 are about proving he can be a leading man in the commercial sense. He’s definitely not sticking to one genre.
- Loveyapa: Released in 2025, this was a remake of the Tamil hit Love Today. Starring opposite Khushi Kapoor, it showed a lighter, more comedic side of him. It was a big departure from the heavy, serious tone of Maharaj.
- Ek Din: This is the big one for 2026. It’s a romantic drama where he stars alongside the incredible Sai Pallavi. The film, produced by Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan, is a remake of a Thai movie and is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026.
The buzz around Ek Din is different. Working with Sai Pallavi is a trial by fire for any actor because she’s so naturally gifted. The first look posters show a snowy, romantic vibe, and fans are eager to see if Junaid can pull off the "lover boy" charm that his father pioneered in the 90s.
Why We Should Stop Comparing Him to Aamir
It's tempting to look for Aamir’s "intensity" in Junaid's performances. But honestly? That’s a bit unfair. Aamir Khan is a once-in-a-generation talent who changed the way Bollywood thinks about content. Junaid seems to be carving out a niche that is much more low-key.
💡 You might also like: Joel Kinnaman Wife: The Truth About His Burning Man Wedding and Past Loves
He doesn't have the six-pack abs (yet), he doesn't do a ton of brand endorsements, and his PR team is surprisingly quiet. In a world where every "nepo kid" is curated to within an inch of their life, Junaid Khan feels like a guy who just wants to do his job. He’s taller, he’s got a different gait, and his voice has a different texture.
The most interesting thing about him isn't that he's Aamir Khan's son. It's that he seems totally okay with the fact that he has a lot to learn.
If you're looking to follow his career, the best move is to watch his earlier theatre work if you can find clips, or catch Maharaj on Netflix to see the foundation he's built. Keep an eye out for the Ek Din teaser dropping soon; it'll be the real litmus test for his chemistry with a powerhouse co-star. Whether he becomes a "superstar" or a "character actor" remains to be seen, but he's definitely worth watching.