Sai Tamhankar says her CRUSH on Aamir Khan manifested into 'Ghajini'; 'I immediately said yes without asking my role'

Sai Tamhankar has revisited one of the most unforgettable chapters of her acting journey, which is none other than sharing screen space with Aamir Khan in ' Ghajini '.

Speaking to India Today, the actress said being part of the blockbuster was far more than a career opportunity. For her, it was the realization of a long-cherished dream. Sai revealed that she had admired Aamir for years and even had a huge crush on him during her college days. When the casting call for Ghajini came, she did not need any details about the role. The actor said hearing Aamir’s name alone was enough to make her accept the offer immediately.

“I still remember when I got the call from the casting director for 'Ghajini'. She mentioned Aamir Khan, and honestly, everything else just faded away. I could only hear ‘Aamir Khan.’ I immediately said yes without even asking what my role was,” she told in an interview with India Today.

Sai Tamhankar on fearless days as a newcomer

Sai said her lack of experience worked in her favour. She entered the industry without pressure or preconceived notions. That gave her the freedom to take risks and enjoy the process.

“The best part about being a beginner in the industry is that you don’t carry any baggage. You’re free to make mistakes, explore and experiment. I was in that phase where I had nothing to lose, so it was a really fun experience for me,” she said.

The actress added that the experience of working on Ghajini remains deeply personal. Even though the film became a massive commercial success, Sai said its emotional value to her was far greater than its box office achievements.

When a college crush became reality

Sai described the project as a blessing and said it felt like a dream she had unknowingly manifested. She recalled being a devoted admirer of Aamir long before she entered films. “People call Ghajini a blockbuster film, but for me, it was a dream coming true, a willpower turning into reality. Back in college, I had a huge crush on Aamir Khan, and somehow, I feel that got manifested into this opportunity. It truly felt like a blessing,” she added.

Sai later had another chance to work closely with Aamir through the Paani Foundation. The initiative focuses on water conservation and watershed development in Maharashtra. “I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would work with Aamir Khan, get to know him personally, and even accompany him while he was doing meaningful work for Paani Foundation and for our state. It still feels surreal,” she said.

Sai Tamhankar says Aamir Khan is always ten steps ahead’

Sai also spoke about Aamir’s professionalism and his unwavering dedication during community work. “Aamir sir is extremely disciplined and very punctual. He’s always ten steps ahead of everyone else. The moment you start thinking about something, he has already thought it through and moved on to the next thing. His planning is meticulous,” Sai said.

“I remember during Shramdaan (voluntary community service), his attitude was very clear, ‘I came here to work, so I will work.’ In the middle of chaos, limelight, and distractions, people can lose sight of why they’re there, but he never does. It’s not easy to put together a team that works day and night to educate people about water conservation and harvesting. He doesn’t need to do all of this, but he still does it, and he continues to stay committed to it. That’s truly commendable,” she added.

Sai was last seen in Matka King , featuring Vijay Varma .