From kitaab to camera, by the Khan cousins

Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan. Pics/Ashish Raje, Youtube, X

Surprise, excitement, scepticism, and what not! Fans had varied reactions when Aamir Khan, famous for his one-film-a-year approach, announced last week that he would shoot three movies in succession. Sure enough, the superstar's date diary is full - he is expected to kick off the shoot of Rajkumar Hirani's sequel to 3 Idiots (2009) in November, followed by the Dadasaheb Phalke biopic next year, and finally Mansoor Khan's screen adaptation of his book, One: The Story of the Ultimate Myth. For now, the adaptation has Aamir's undivided attention. Sources have told mid-day that the actor will soon begin developing the screenplay of One with his cousin and filmmaker Mansoor.

Written by Mansoor, the 147-page novel revolves around Abhay, a once-famous genetic engineer who is now hiding from a powerful establishment as he challenged its scientific paradigms. When he meets Sonal, a firebrand activist, by chance, he gains the confidence to fight for his beliefs. A source reveals, "Aamir will step into the role of Abhay in the story. While he loved the themes and existential crises depicted in the book, from environmental degradation to sustainability, he felt that the screenplay could be a challenge, given how the plot and the two lead characters are written. This month, Aamir will head to Coonoor, where Mansoor lives. Together, they will develop the script."

Most of May and June will be dedicated to the screenplay, after which Aamir will turn his attention to the promotions for his home production, the Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta-starrer period drama.

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' (1988) and ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar

This will be Aamir Khan's fourth collaboration as an actor with director Mansoor Khan. The two debuted in films together with ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' (1988), following it up with ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' (1992) and ‘Akele Hum Akele Tum' (1995)