Bollywood actor-producer Aamir Khan - who kicked a huge controversy over the intolerance issue last year - on Monday said he had no plans to leave India and he can't live more than two weeks out of the country.
"I love my country, I was born here and I will die here. I have never thought of leaving India and will never take such a step," Aamir told reporters while celebrating the 10th anniversary event of 'Rang de Basanti' here.
"I never said India is intolerant or I want to leave the country... these two things have been said to everyone. So, obviously, people will get hurt and I understand their emotions. I am not surprised they are angry with me. But, there is no truth to this all...," the 50-year-old actor said.
"I want to clear this; I have never said India is intolerant. Our country is diverse with so many languages, culture... no other country has so much diversity as India and that's the strength of our country. But, despite this strength, if anybody tries to break us, that hurts me. Let's not make this country weak. Let's not spread poison and let's live together," he added.
After his comments last November, the actor was widely criticised by many and even slammed on Twitter by colleagues like Anupam Kher and Raveena Tandon.
Khan was recently replaced as the brand ambassador for the 'Incredible India' campaign by actors Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra.
Aamir blames the media for misquoting him. He said: "I love my country and I'm not able to live more than two weeks out of the country. I get homesick. I was hurt and along with me many people have been hurt because of this misunderstanding. I give this credit to you all (media) because you all have twisted my words. I request you all that please don't do this."
NO PROBLEMS WORKING WITH SUNNY LEONE, SAYS AAMIR KHAN
Superstar Aamir Khan says he has absolutely no problem in working with Sunny Leone if there is a good script.
A recent interview of Sunny Leone created controversy after she was asked whether Aamir would want to work with her and she responded with a 'no'.
"When I saw the interview, I was hurt. I felt really bad. I think if there is a good script and nice character, then I don't have any problem to work with her," Aamir told reporters on Monday while celebrating the 10th anniversary of his film "Rang De Basanti".
"I have nothing to do with her personal life. She is a women and I respect her. I seriously would like to work with her. I hope that she would also like to work with me," he said.
HAVE TO BUILD PHYSIQUE LIKE SUSHIL KUMAR FOR 'DANGAL': AAMIR KHAN
Actor Aamir Khan, who has gained weight for his next movie "Dangal", says he has to now lose the same weight and make his physique muscular and low-fat like that of Olympic medal winner Sushil Kumar for the next part of the shoot.
"'Dangal' is almost 90 percent over. All of you are aware that I've put on weight for the film. But very few are aware that for 'Dangal', I have to reduce my weight, build a physique because during the initial 10-15 percent of the film. I'm a national level wrestler like Sushil Kumar ji," Aamir told the media on Monday at the 10-year celebration of his critically acclaimed film "Rang De Basanti".
"I put on 25 kg for the film, so I have reduce 25 kg, and not just that, make it like Sushil Kumar -- muscular, low-fat," the actor said.
The entire team, comprising director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, actors Sharman Joshi, Siddharth, and Waheeda Rahman among others were present. Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor and Madhavan could not make it to the event.
In "Dangal", Aamir plays the role of real-life Haryana-based wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. The movie traces his journey from being a young wrestler to encouraging his daughters to pursue wrestling and earn laurels for the country.
"The phase of being overweight and elderly is about to get over, and I've started losing weight and this 10-15 percent will be shot in June, so my next big challenge is to come back into shape like how my body was in 'Ghajini' or 'Dhoom 3' and I have to make this body now. The process has started and my weight has started reducing now," he added.
Aamir has happily flaunted his overweight self and grey hair and beard for the film. He had suffered a shoulder injury during the wrestling scenes shot in Ludhiana.
The film is slated to release on Christmas this year.
