There are boys and there are men. And then there are some boys who become men overnight. Imran Khan belongs to the third category. In fact, it seems that the category was invented keeping the newcomer in mind. He appears like any other kid back from a foreign education but there’s a lot more to him. Unfortunately, I wasn’t around when Aamir made his debut but Imran’s casual charm makes me believe he must have been something like this. I see him advising Aamir to retire on Salman’s television show, and I think, the boy does not know he is poised on the brink of a dream career and yet he seems like any other nephew pulling his mamu’s leg. The house full theatres and choc-block advance booking reiterates that not only can Pappu dance but he also has a draw. I remember that when Aamir arrived, a campaign said, “Who is Aamir Khan? Ask the girls next door.” Thanks to Aamir and luckily for Imran no one seems to be asking who is Imran? The hit-and star-thirsty film industry has lapped up this new kid on the block. It has been a stupendous beginning but the course from here only time and Pappu will decide.
he earnestness of a newcomer in an interview is something that cannot be captured. The exuberance of the youth can only be felt. So when you interview Imran Khan, the most talked about newcomer in tinsel town, you almost expect the unexpected. And the bumbling, effervescent and forthright Imran doesn’t let you down. His candid, often carefree, demeanor is refreshing. He doesn’t weigh his words neither does he hide his emotions, like any rehearsed much-in-control actor hardened by the ways of the industry. Imran’s spirit is untouched, his energies untarnished. He turns restless as soon as his girlfriend walks into the room during the interview. He barely cares for the rolling dictaphone placed in front of him as he is all eyes and ears towards his lady love. His casual approach, rather than the self-indulgence of an actor trying to make his point, is quite endearing. And his restlessness is quite contrary also to his canine companion, Kajri, who comfortably sleeps next to him throughout the interview, blissfully unaware that history might be in the process of being created; a star being born inches away from her.
Was acting your first career option or was it the last?
It was the absolute last; directing was the plan. I had always been interested in films and wanted to do something film related. When I was 17 or 18, I started off towards that path. Then I went to a film school in Los Angeles, and trained to be a writer. After film school, I started working there as well to gain some experience. I trained with being a writer–director in mind. I got a job in a production company in America which was making TV shows, which never got picked up by any channel, but the onus was not on me because my job was pretty down the line; I was a camera operator.
Films are not the ideal career path. I speak for 90 percent of the parents in our country. Your mother was from a film family but how did your dad react to your decision?
My dad works for Yahoo. My parents are divorced. They separated when I was very young, about 2 years old. I don’t know whether my career choice was a given or whether my dad was shocked because he took it all in stride. He’s very helpful and supportive. He flew down from the States for my release. He came last month and gave a suit for stitching. He was all geared up for the premiere.
But the journey from waiting to be a director to actually being an actor must have been a daunting one.
I faced some issues there. See, I have been very thin and scrawny and, of course, that is not an acceptable way for a Hindi film hero to be. I was actually traveling from one production house to another with my sample episodes and then my friend told me she was casting for a TV show and they were my stories. I was very grouchy post that, thinking this was a stupid industry. Through all this, I got a call to meet Abbas (Tyrewala) and I recognized his name because of the lyrics he had written. I went to meet him and they told me he had written a film in which he wanted me to act. I did not want to go down that route but I met him and we hit it off very well. Abbas told me he was making a film called JaaneTu… Ya Jaane Na and I thought it was the worst title I had heard in my life. I almost got up and left but he told me the story and it sounded interesting. So at that point when he asked me to audition I said, what the heck, let me just do it. He gave me a couple of scenes. I read them and auditioned. Based on this, he told me I was perfect for the film and then he gave me a narration of the entire script and by the time he had finished, I knew I wanted to be a part of this movie. I was not a trained actor and I think that was what Abbas was looking for. He did not want someone with a great physique who could do action, dance and the other pre-requisites. He just wanted someone who could play a young college kid, who could pass off as an average middle class boy who has a few issues in life and is growing up and becoming a man. He consciously did not want me to look like a hero.
But you have been pumping iron since, as your muscles divulge.
That is for my second film, Kidnap, directed by Sanjay Gadhvi which I have finished shooting for.
Your uncle Aamir has been very successful; so given that it is your benchmark, are you prepared for it?
I have a very philosophical view of life. There are things within your control and things that are not. It is up to the audience to decide whether they accept me or not. I am not going to stress about things that are out of my control. I can only do my work. Beyond that, I have no bearing and will take life as it comes.
<Continue to next page>
