Aamir Khan's Initial Shift to Veganism
In March 2015, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, Bollywood's 'Mr. Perfectionist' made a major lifestyle announcement: he was going vegan. The catalyst for this change was a video presented to him by his then-wife, Kiran Rao, a longtime vegan herself. The video, created by a doctor, detailed how a plant-based diet could help prevent up to 15 of the most common diseases. Convinced by the health benefits, Khan committed to eliminating all animal products, including meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
For a man who once confessed to loving non-vegetarian food, especially biryani, this was a significant and disciplined change. He embraced plant-based alternatives, like swapping regular milk for soy milk, but openly admitted that he missed his favorite dairy product: curd.
The Reason Behind Aamir Khan's Vegan Choice
Khan's dedication to his roles is legendary, often involving extreme physical transformations, but his veganism was purely for health. The decision was not tied to his acting career, although it coincided with preparations for the film Dangal, where his character is also vegetarian. He saw the switch as a superior health choice, stating that vegans were "way ahead of non-vegetarians and even vegetarians" in terms of wellness.
The Evolution of Aamir Khan's Diet
While his initial commitment to veganism was strong, it was not permanent. After maintaining a strictly vegan diet for a period, his love for curd ultimately proved to be his weakness. In a candid interview in July 2025, Khan explained that he broke his vegan journey because he "could not resist" his craving for curd.
His current diet, as of late 2025, can be described as flexible vegetarianism. He confessed to preferring vegetarian food and still avoids meat most of the time, but he does consume non-vegetarian items on occasion. His approach reflects a more balanced and less rigid perspective, prioritizing comfort and personal preference alongside health.
A History of Dramatic Dietary Changes
Aamir Khan's willingness to dramatically alter his diet is well-documented and often tied to his film roles. His body transformations for Ghajini and Dangal are prime examples.
- For Dangal: Khan famously gained nearly 28 kilograms to play the older, heavy-set Mahavir Singh Phogat, reaching a weight of 97 kg.
- For Dangal (younger version): He then embarked on a rigorous journey to lose 25 kg in just five months for scenes of the character's younger days, under the guidance of fitness and nutrition experts. This diet was high-protein and carefully portion-controlled, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Comparison: Aamir Khan's Diet Phases
This table outlines the key differences between the various phases of Aamir Khan's well-publicized dietary habits.
| Dietary Phase | Timeline | Primary Motivation | Included Foods | Excluded Foods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-2015 | Pre-2015 | General Health, Role-Based | Meat, fish, eggs, dairy, some processed foods | Varies by role; generally flexible |
| Vegan Phase | Circa March 2015 - Early 2025 | Preventive Health Reasons | Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, soy milk | All animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy |
| Current Phase | Mid-2025 onwards | Personal Preference & Balance | Primarily vegetarian diet, non-veg occasionally, dairy included | No strict exclusions; flexible approach |
Conclusion: A Flexible Approach to Health
In conclusion, the question "Is Aamir Khan a vegan?" has a nuanced answer. While he did adopt a vegan lifestyle for nearly a decade for health reasons, he is no longer strictly vegan. His dietary journey reflects a thoughtful, evolving approach to wellness, driven by health considerations, personal cravings, and the demands of his acting career. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to health and discipline, even if it has meant cycling through different diets. Ultimately, his current dietary practice leans heavily on vegetarianism but remains flexible. For more insights into his transformation for Dangal, see this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When did Aamir Khan become a vegan? A: Aamir Khan decided to go vegan in March 2015, following his 50th birthday, after watching a health-related video shown to him by his then-wife, Kiran Rao.
Q: Why did Aamir Khan stop being vegan? A: Aamir Khan stopped being strictly vegan because he missed consuming curd (dahi), a dairy product. He revealed this in an interview in July 2025, explaining that he simply could not resist his love for it.
Q: Is Aamir Khan a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian now? A: As of late 2025, Aamir Khan follows a flexible diet. He has stated that he prefers vegetarian food but also consumes non-vegetarian items on occasion.
Q: Did Aamir Khan's ex-wife, Kiran Rao, influence his diet? A: Yes, Kiran Rao, who was a longtime vegan herself, was the direct inspiration for Aamir Khan's decision to go vegan in 2015, having shown him a video about the health benefits of a plant-based diet.
Q: What motivated Aamir Khan's initial switch to a vegan diet? A: The primary motivation for his vegan diet was a health-related video he watched, which detailed how a diet change could help prevent 15 common diseases. He was convinced it was a healthier lifestyle choice.
Q: Did Aamir Khan's diet change for his movie Dangal? A: Yes, Aamir Khan underwent a significant dietary and physical transformation for his role in Dangal, gaining a large amount of weight and later losing it for different parts of the film. His character in the movie was also vegetarian, which coincided with his vegan phase.
Q: Does Aamir Khan consume milk now? A: After ending his vegan journey, Aamir Khan resumed consuming dairy products like curd. Therefore, it is likely he also reincorporated milk into his diet, contrasting with his vegan phase when he used soy milk.
