Unmasking the making of a hero: analyzing Aamir Khan’s fandom in China

Abstract

This study investigates Aamir Khan’s popularity in China as a distinctive case of transcultural stardom. It argues that his reception is shaped not only by the circulation of Bollywood cinema but also by the ways his films align with Chinese aesthetic preferences and social values. Survey findings show that most respondents had watched his films and admired him as both a skilled actor and a socially engaged public figure. Khan’s appeal appears to rest on the convergence of artistic credibility, moral seriousness, and culturally meaningful storytelling. The study contends that his transnational popularity strengthens Indian cinema’s soft power and informs debates on market strategy, star studies, and cultural exchange. More broadly, it suggests that cinema can function as a medium of education, social reflection, and cross-cultural influence when grounded in emotionally resonant, relevant narratives, and it opens new avenues for understanding the reception of Indian cinema in China.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Popular Communication, 2026 · DOI ↗