Imran Khan wants to be a perfectionist

Despite working in three well-received commercials with Dibakar Banerjee, actor refuses to star in director’s next film Shanghai. Find out why he refused the offer when initially he was interested in it.

Considering that all his three commercials for a cola brand, shot by Dibakar Banerjee, have been well received, it’s surprising that Imran Khan isn’t teaming up with the filmmaker once again. More so because Imran was the first choice for one of the two leading men in the director’s next, a political thriller titled Shanghai. After a long time, the filmmaker eventually decided to sign Emraan Hashmi in place of Imran.



Commenting on why he is not pR D Burmanart of Shanghai, Imran says, "Although we had initially discussed it (working together in the film), as the script developed, I felt I wasn’t the correct fit for it. So I conveyed my reservations to Dibakar at a very early stage."



Imran recalls how he explained the predicament to the director. "If I’m not convincing as the character, then people watching the film wouldn’t buy it. Besides, they could also have thought that I’m a bad actor. That would be a lose-lose situation for both of us," reasons the actor, adding, "The script is good. No doubt about it."

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While Imran told Dibakar that they’d do some other film together later, he’s happy with the response his cola commercials with the director have evoked. While the latest one has Imran and the world going "Brrrr…" after sipping the drink, the second cola commercial features the Aaj ki raat track from Imran’s uncle Aamir Khan’s late father, Tahir Hussain’s production, Anamika (1973).



Imran reveals that it was Dibakar’s idea to use the R D Burman composition sung by Asha Bhosle. "The music was completely Dibakar’s brainchild. He’s got a very sharp music sense," adds the actor, who is thrilled to be associated with a family chartbuster from yesteryears.

The actor says that he got along very well with the director. “It’s been a wonderful experience as I also sat with Dibakar on the concept, script, storyboard, characters, and discussed how the ad will turn out,” he recalls, adding that they will get together for a film as and when a suitable subject comes up.

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