Kaziranga: Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has appreciated the conservation efforts of officials and staff at Kaziranga National Park, which he visited today with his wife Kiran Rao and director-producer Karan Johar.
Khan, who is on his maiden visit to Assam, after visiting the Park told reporters, “I must congratulate the officials and staff of Kaziranga for their conservation efforts and increasing the rhino population here.” To queries if he would be producing a film on the one-horn rhino habitat KNP, the actor said, “There is no such plan in my mind just now but I will if ideas come up later. The conservation issue is very close to all of us.
” Stating his visit was a private one, the ‘Dhoom 3’ actor said, “I have been thinking of coming to Assam and wanted to give a surprise to my wife Kiran on her 40th birthday yesterday. We will be in Assam for about a week to visit different places”.
“My director Reema Kagti (of ‘Talaash’ fame) who is from the state would talk about it and its food. I have come to spend time in Assam, meet and enjoy the company of the people here. I thank the people of Assam for a warm welcome and showering us with love”, he said. The trio went for a jeep safari in the world heritage site accompanied by the Park and forest department officials to see the rhinos and other wildlife there. Earlier, Aamir, his wife Kiran, son Azad and Karan Johar were given a warm welcome at KNP where Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain presented them with the traditional Assamese eri silk sador (scarf) and jacket, a japi (bamboo hat) and wooden rhino model.
The Bollywood celebrities had a traditional Assamese lunch at the Hatikhuli Tea Estate manager’s bungalow near the Park before proceeding to Tezpur in Sonitpur district, where they had arrived in a chartered plane on Wednesday, sources said. Before leaving, Karan Johar while speaking to the media indicated that he may come to Assam to shoot a film. “I would like to come back with a movie camera if possible. What we saw in Kaziranga is spectacular. The people in Assam are very hospitable,” Johar said. Aamir celebrated his wife Kiran Rao’s 40th birthday yesterday at Wild Maseer Resort at Balipara. (PTI)
