Aamir Khan recalls receiving script of 'Peepli Live' while shooting for 'Mangal Pandey': 'I thought somebody was playing a prank'

Very few producers in Hindi cinema have an eye as sharp as Aamir Khan’s. He’s known for supporting unique and offbeat films like Dhobi Ghat, Delhi Belly, Talaash: The Answer Lies Within, and Secret Superstar — each different in style and theme. Among them, Peepli Live stands out as a bold political satire that focused on the farmer crisis, rising suicides, and the media’s role in it. Directed by first-timer Anusha Rizvi, the film was critically acclaimed and gained a cult following. But as Aamir recently shared on his new YouTube channel, Aamir Khan Talkies, the film almost didn’t get made.
The Unexpected Email
While working on Mangal Pandey, then called The Rising, Aamir Khan received an unexpected email from Anusha Rizvi, who was a journalist at the time. It had a script titled The Falling. Finding the title coincidence amusing, he initially ignored it, thinking it might be a prank. But Anusha kept following up, and her sincerity eventually convinced Aamir to give the story a chance.

Doubts and an Unconventional Test
Aamir found the story interesting, but certain parts didn’t quite add up for him. He also had doubts about supporting a debut director for a film with such a layered theme. Since Anusha came from a journalism background, he wasn’t sure if she could manage fictional storytelling. To evaluate her potential, he gave her an unusual task — shoot a few scenes from the script within a set time and present the footage as a test.

A Challenging Shoot and Impressive Results
The shoot was challenging. Anusha had only ten days, limited resources, no real locations, and no professional actors. Despite the odds, she managed to pull it off. The test footage impressed Aamir so much that he decided to support the film. He was particularly struck by how realistically she brought the scenes to life.
Peepli Live became one of the most talked-about films of its time, solidifying Aamir Khan’s reputation as a thoughtful producer. The film also earned the honor of being India’s official entry to the Oscars.