Delhi diary: Turkish ice-cream man shows Aamir Khan who is the bigger entertainer

Indian film superstar Aamir Khan posted online a video of his visit to a Turkish ice-cream stall where the vendor shows him who is the bigger star.

Aamir is teased and tricked several times before he is handed his cone of Turkish dondurma ice-cream. The funny vendor has Aamir eat out of his hand, so to speak.

The 52-year-old actor and film producer appeared to relish not only the traditional ice-cream but also his failed attempts in grabbing the cone.

The video went viral on social media, receiving within two days thousands of times more response than some of Aamir's recent posts.

Aamir was welcomed by fawning fans when he visited Turkey from Oct 4 to 7 on an invitation from the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

"It really touched me to see such an emotional welcome," Aamir said upon his arrival.

The actor said he was not aware he was so popular in Turkey.

"I didn't know that in Turkey young people were watching my films," he said.

His 2009 funny movie "3 Idiots" dealing with the deficiencies in India's education system is one of the best-known Indian films in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received him at the Presidential Complex in an acknowledgement of Aamir's popularity.

What's remarkable about Aamir's popularity in Turkey is that unlike places such as Britain, North America or the Arabian Gulf region, his fan base is not dominated by non-resident Indians (NRIs) or the Indian diaspora.

The Turkish Consulate General in Mumbai posted news and photographs of Aamir's activities in Turkey.

Known as a star with a conscience, many of Aamir's films have been well-received in foreign markets.

These include the 2014 blockbuster "PK", a satirical movie that questions superstitions and blind faiths of people, and "Lagaan", the 2001 film set in the British colonial period.

Despite many of his films heavily conveying social messages, Aamir has spoken about his primary aim as providing entertainment to the masses.

A few years ago, he hosted the popular television show "Satyamev Jayate," (Truth Alone Prevails) tackling several domestic issues such as caste system, killing of female fetuses, dowry, child sex abuse and violence against women. The show drew hundreds of millions of audience.

True to his nature, he didn't shy away from commenting on the Rohingya genocide.

"I think what is happening in Myanmar is very heartbreaking," he told the Turkish media.

One aim of Aamir's visit to Ankara and Istanbul was to promote his upcoming film "Secret Superstar", which focuses on gender equality and tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who wants to become a big singer.

He also said he would not consider acting in Hollywood movies.

"I feel the American culture (is) perhaps very alien to me and I don't know whether I fit into that, I don't know whether I would understand the emotional key of an average American audience; I am not sure I understand it," he said, according to comments published in the media.

In one photograph, Aamir is seen meeting Turkish actress Hazal Kaya, who is a household name in India having acted in the popular drama series "Feriha".

However, perhaps one person who wasn't awed by Aamir's stardom was the ice-cream man. He made the mega star work hard for the Turkish treat.

-- BERNAMA