Aamir Khan, during his time shooting for the film Dangal in a quaint village in Punjab, had a profound realization about the power of “Namaste.” As a Muslim, he was accustomed to the “adaab” gesture—raising his hand and bowing his head—as a form of greeting. However, in Punjab, he encountered a different tradition: people welcoming him with folded hands and “Sat Sri Akaal” every morning as he arrived for work. Their respect and humility left a lasting impression on him.
Aamir expressed, “Coming from a Muslim background, I wasn’t used to saying ‘namaste’ with folded hands. Instead, I was more familiar with raising my hand (in adaab) and bowing my head. However, after spending time in Punjab, I realized the essence of ‘namaste.’ It’s a beautiful gesture. People in Punjab show immense respect to everyone without any bias.”
This cultural exchange taught him that “namaste” transcends religious boundaries and embodies a universal spirit of reverence and goodwill. The people of Punjab exemplified this through their warm and heartfelt greetings, leaving Aamir deeply moved.
Additionally, Aamir shared with Kapil Sharma that he had been absent from shows for 11 years, going through a tough emotional phase. Kapil’s comedy provided solace during those challenging times, and Aamir expressed gratitude for the laughter and support he received from Kapil and the audience.
How did the people in Punjab react to Aamir’s ‘namaste’?
The people in Punjab warmly embraced Aamir Khan’s “namaste” with folded hands and the traditional greeting of “Sat Sri Akaal.” Their respectful and heartfelt gestures left a lasting impact on him. Despite coming from a Muslim background where he was more accustomed to the “adaab” gesture, Aamir realized that “namaste” transcends religious boundaries and embodies a universal spirit of reverence and goodwill. The people of Punjab exemplified this through their genuine respect, regardless of any biases, and Aamir was deeply moved by their kindness and warmth.
