‘Dangal’ not releasing on Aug 15: Aamir Khan

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan today dismissed reports that his upcoming film “Dangal” will release on Independence day.

There were reports that Aamir was considering to release the sports-biopic ahead of its originally scheduled release on Christmas this year.

The actor said he had also heard the rumours, but clarified that the film will not release on August 15.

“I heard the rumours too, but there is no truth in that. I had said that since it is a patriotic film, about the daughters of India, a date like August 15 would’ve been ideal.

“But we are not coming on that date. We are coming on Christmas. We always wanted to release on Christmas,” Aamir told reporters here at his 51st birthday bash.

The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari of “Bhoothnath Returns” fame, stars Aamir in the role of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who taught wrestling to his daughters Babita Kumari and Geeta Phogat.

The “PK” actor, who had put on weight for his role in the film, said he has now lost 13 kgs and aims to get the “Ghajini” look.

“In ‘Dangal’ I had gained weight, up to 95 kgs. The portions where I was fat have been completed, so I’ve started reducing. I am at 82 kgs, which is 13 kgs less. Now 12 more kgs are left to shed, so I have reached the half-way mark. My aim is to get the ‘Ghajini’ look,” he said.

Aamir said his family was happy that he lost weight.

“I am taking six months (to lose weight). My family is happy that I am losing weight and am half-way there. It’s a concern for me too. Losing weight fast is not very healthy. I am pushing the envelope a little bit,” he said.

The actor, who was in the US for intense training in weight loss, said he will now have fish, despite being a vegan, to get in shape of his character.

“For the last three weeks I was in the US to lose weight and focus on weight loss. I was working out in different forms and doing six to seven hours of exercises a day. I’ve been trekking, mountain biking, tennis, swimming...,” he said.

“I went on a vegan diet because I feel it’s a more healthy diet. But I am not moral vegan, I am not that hardcore. For the next three months, my dietitian has insisted that he wants me to have a very high quality protein, so he wants me to have fish, because I need to lose weight but retain my muscle mass,” he said.