MUMBAI: Bollywood star Aamir Khan, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Malala Yousafzai, Steven Spielberg, Daniel Day-Lewis, has been identified as one of the ‘100 Most Influential People In The World’ by Time Magazine.

Aamir Khan has been named as a “Pioneer” on Time magazine’s 2013 list. Aamir’s TV serial ‘Satyamev Jayate’ examined many social and economic issues in India – like female foeticide, child sexual abuse, medical malpractices, water harvesting etc. The show had a wide-spread effect on the society, and even resulted in the state government setting up fast track courts to resolve female foeticide cases. Time said of Khan  in 2012, “He’s breaking the Bollywood mould by tackling India’s social evils. Can one actor change a nation?”

“He uses his gifts as a charmer to give his audience the most bitter medicine. Hypnotized, we take it without complaint. That’s Aamir’s magic at work,” said A.R. Rahman praising Aamir. The Oscar singer also noted that ‘Satyamev Jayate’ was not intended to provide solutions but to ask hard questions, the kind society is often reluctant to address. “By showing the courage to ask those questions, Aamir has started a movement that will help change the world in which Indians live. Jai ho!,” Rahman said.

Aamir also graced the cover of the magazine – one of the seven versions made for this special topic. Looking straight into camera, exuding confidence, Aamir charms the viewer in his black turtle-neck t-shirt.

Jay-Z (Singer) and Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook), P Chidambaram (Finance Minister) were named “titans” emphasizing on their strength. Malala Yousafzai (15 year old, Pakistani activist), Daniel Day-Lewis (actor) and Justin Timberlake (singer) were named as “icons” for strongly representing a cause, and Jennifer Lawrence (actor) and Steven Spielberg (film-maker) were named “artists”.