New Delhi: The final episode of the much-awaited Season 4 of ‘Duologue with Barun Das’, presented by Radico, released on March 14, 2026. Continuing the unparalleled legacy of the first three seasons, the fourth season has been a massive success, bringing audiences in to listen to conversations with global stalwarts that transcend everyday headlines and go towards subjects that move and shape us.
A show built on the foundation of ideas and insights, not gossip and showboating, the final episode of the fourth season of the ‘Duologue series’ is a testament to the fervour of intellect and wit that it has come to represent. The guest for the episode was one that complements the show’s truthful and inquiring nature, actor Aamir Khan.
Of intellect, vulnerability and excellence
“When the crowd moved you stood still, when the crowd stood still you moved,” starts TV9 Network’s MD &CEO Barun Das, calling Aamir Khan a “structural disruptor”. Listing some of his many achievements on and off screen, the conversation picks up steam fast, in line with the inquiring nature of the Duologue series.
Starting with his initial days in the industry, Khan starts reminiscing how he perceived award shows in the early days to how that changed with time. His later experiences saw him “move away” from them, as he saw how they become more about “who the person is, rather than the work of the person”, especially in our culture. In terms of the Oscars, Khan perceptively termed it a “marketing tool”, which helps bring one’s film to new audiences.
Das then took up the question of how many internationally look more favourably at Indian films that try to look more at the darker aspects of India, especially in the film festival circuits. While at times true, though not in the case of a film like Lagaan, many have repeatedly succumbed to this bias. Das points out Slumdog Millionaire as an example, “I felt a little uncomfortable how it showcased Mumbai”. Khan agreed, “I was uncomfortable many times, I did not like the film.”
The conversation then took a more sombre and reflexive tone, as the two discussed the courage it takes to act alone and being vulnerable to emotionality. “We are conditioned to not express ourselves as men,” points out Das, and Khan agrees emphatically, “I cry as easily as I laugh.” “Strength really comes from being able to do what you believe in even when it is difficult,” continued Khan. Das opened up too, recalling his own stories of vulnerabilities, quipping, “If you are strong enough, you would not mind expressing your emotions.” The exchange was not just thoughtful but inspiring, a part of the conversation which combined cerebral inquiry with empathy and openness.
Of the personal, Khan talked about how he has with time come to terms with being called ‘perfectionist’ but does not believe it is the right term to associate him with. He talked about looking for ‘magic’ and ‘heart’ rather than ‘perfection’.
The conversation then turned to films, of success and failures and how cinema has changed with time. Khan recounted stories from throughout his career, and both the artistic as well as the business side of moviemaking was discussed and dissected.
Talking of current audiences, Khan talked about how audiences of today with the ‘universe in their palm’ are not ‘captive’ but ‘distracted’ audiences. Another current topic of conversation that was then discussed, was the hot topic of nepotism in Bollywood, asked with his characteristic wit and empathy by Das and answered with his characteristic perceptivity by Khan. He answered by talking about how the success rate in any profession is low, especially at the top, but when one can be objective while casting a film, the problem does not exist, it becomes meritorious and is what is ideal.
The conversation was one which touched on a variety of issues, but all with a spirit of truthfulness and incisiveness, a testament to the participants and the show itself, whose legacy continues undaunted as the fourth season commences with a masterful stroke.