Aamir makes a point!

KANAK HIRANI NAUTIYAL / TNN / Jun 11, 2006, 19:47 IST

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Over the past few weeks, the actor has been making excessive use of his index finger. Body language experts try to figure out what Khan's saying.

Over the past few weeks, the actor has been making excessive use of his index finger. Body language experts try to figure out what Khan's saying.
Picture Aamir Khan in your head and he'll probably be wearing a white kurta, using his forefinger to gesture. That's because during the last few days, Khan - whether in the news or in photographs - has been shown doing just that to convey his point of view.
BT talks to body language experts, and asks them to interpret the role of the forefinger in communication, and what Khan may be saying by way of gestures.
Says public speaking professional Ian Faria, your non-verbal communication amounts to 93 per cent of communication. Faria says that in Khan's case, his body language shows his intent.

"His body is saying what his voice isn't, because he's controlling his words. He's visibly upset, because when people are upset, they use their hands a lot. People are usually unaware of what their body is doing - when Bill Clinton kept touching his face while speaking, it indicated that he was lying."
Faria adds that it's also important to never take a gesture out of context. "Khan is showing his frustration, perfectly normal."Rahul Kapoor, a behavioural profiling consultant, believes people don't use their forefingers in a general context.

"You use your index finger only when you disagree, argue or have a different point of view."Besides being used to make a point, Kapoor says the index finger is also used when a person is thinking, trying to evaluate or analyse.
"The position of the index finger will change. If placed on the chin, you're looking at something critically, if on the head, you're thinking."
Kapoor, who saw two of Khan's recent interviews, said even otherwise, he's the kind who uses gestures more than anyone else.
"His body language shows he likes to get into the thick of things, rather than skimming the surface. He also shows he's not the kind who makes a statement without thinking."So what's Khan saying with his forefinger? "He's trying to articulate that he believes in what he says. He's justifying his actions and therefore, the excessive use of the forefinger."
Says Sudhir Udaykanth, body language analyser, "Pointing the index finger directly depicts an assertive, but not necessarily an aggressive character.
The palm completely closed into a fist with just the index finger open is symbolic with thumping the audience into becoming submissive and listening."
Udaykanth adds that one resorts to this gesture only when pushed to the extremes of personal discomfort. One feels victimised and easily irritated when the index finger is directed at them.
"I recommend habitual finger pointers to consciously open out all their fingers with the palm up position and continue their talk. This will create a relaxed, positive atmosphere among the audience,"says Udaykanth.
"In ever-tolerant Khan's case, it clearly shows that he has already reached levels of intolerance. The next thing for him will be to convey his feelings with the middle finger!"

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