
Imran Khan open to playing villain
The actor recently fuelled speculation that he is avoiding playing negative roles, when he turned down Dibakar Banerjee’s offer to star in his next film, Shanghai, a political thriller.
By Shweta Mehta | Hindustan Times, Mumbai
UPDATED ON SEP 20, 2010 06:37 PM IST
After gauging his performances at the box- office so far, Imran Khan seems to be sticking to what he does best — playing romantic leads. The actor recently fuelled speculation that he is avoiding playing negative roles, when he turned down Dibakar Banerjee’s offer to star in his next film, Shanghai, a political thriller.
Banerjee, who directed Khan in a recent cola commercial, was very keen to work with him. "Seeing the discipline and drive Imran invested into the ad, I’m more than convinced I’m ready to work with mainstream actors," the director had said.
But when the director approached Khan with Shanghai, he declined the offer politely. But Khan says he is not averse to playing characters that have shades of grey. "It’s not a conscious effort on my part to stick to romantic characters," he asserted.
Game for all genres
Khan’s track record tells another story. His romantic leads in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) and I Hate Luv Storys have both won him accolades aplenty. Kidnap (2008) and Luck (2009), on the other hand, saw him play negative roles and neither performance was appreciated by critics. Both the films also fared poorly at the box-office.
However, the actor insists that he is game for all kinds of movies, and refuses to rule out any genre from his future plans. "Some of the best movies in the past couple of years have centred around action and other offbeat themes. If I say no to all of them, I’m going to miss out on some really great offers," he says.
Close
Banerjee, who directed Khan in a recent cola commercial, was very keen to work with him. "Seeing the discipline and drive Imran invested into the ad, I’m more than convinced I’m ready to work with mainstream actors," the director had said.
But when the director approached Khan with Shanghai, he declined the offer politely. But Khan says he is not averse to playing characters that have shades of grey. "It’s not a conscious effort on my part to stick to romantic characters," he asserted.

Khan’s track record tells another story. His romantic leads in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) and I Hate Luv Storys have both won him accolades aplenty. Kidnap (2008) and Luck (2009), on the other hand, saw him play negative roles and neither performance was appreciated by critics. Both the films also fared poorly at the box-office.
However, the actor insists that he is game for all kinds of movies, and refuses to rule out any genre from his future plans. "Some of the best movies in the past couple of years have centred around action and other offbeat themes. If I say no to all of them, I’m going to miss out on some really great offers," he says.
When pointed out that he was clearly favouring romantic leads, Khan provides reassurance. He points out, “I’d be risking my career if I played one kind of role again and again.”

Esha Deol recalls her wedding, reveals Hema Malini called her crying afterwards
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 08:18 PM IST
- Esha Deol revealed that while her mother Hema Malini did not cry at her 'bidaai', she could not hold back her emotions afterwards.

Lisa Haydon cradles bare baby bump, waits for arrival of her ‘very little woman’
UPDATED ON MAR 08, 2021 08:16 PM IST
- Lisa Haydon, who is currently expecting her third child with husband Dino Lalvani, shared a special post featuring her 'very little woman' on International Women's Day.

Pipe-smoking Aamir Khan goes clubbing with Elli AvrRam in Har Funn Maula teaser
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 07:45 PM IST
- Aamir Khan and Elli AvrRam burn up the dance floor in the first teaser for their song, Har Funn Maula. Watch it here.

Varun Dhawan shares unseen photo with wife Natasha Dalal on Women's Day
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 07:12 PM IST
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Varun Dhawan dedicated a special post to the women in his life -- wife Natasha Dalal, mother Laali Dhawan, sister-in-law Jaanvi Desai and niece Niyara.

Nawaz's brother, accused of violence by Aaliya, reacts to their reconciliation
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 07:11 PM IST
- Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui's brother Shamas has reacted to news of that Nawaz and his wife, Aaliya, are willing to reconcile. Aaliya had accused Shamas of physical abuse.

Kriti Sanon takes a tumble and almost falls to the ground, fans blame her heels
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:42 PM IST
- Kriti Sanon slipped and almost fell before a posing session for the paparazzi on Monday. Watch the video here.

Janhvi Kapoor averts drama after her staff member prevents fan from taking a pic
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:19 PM IST
- Janhvi Kapoor was spotted at the Mumbai airport over the weekend. During her exit from the airport, her staff member stopped a fan from taking a picture with the actor. Janhvi tackled the situation calmly.

Parineeti Chopra opens up about replacing Shraddha Kapoor in Saina
PTI
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:13 PM IST
Parineeti Chopra opened up about replacing Shraddha Kapoor in Saina. The sports-themed movie released the trailer on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Women’s Day 2021: Boney Kapoor pays tribute to late wife Sridevi, daughters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:03 PM IST
- Boney Kapoor said that he was fortunate to have 'some of the strongest women in the world' in his life -- late wife Sridevi, and daughters Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor and Anshula Kapoor.

Divorce may be cancelled, but Nawazuddin and his wife aren't living together
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:00 PM IST
- Despite cancelling divorce proceedings, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife, Aaliya, has said that they aren't yet living with each other.

Raj is all praise for his 'strong and independent' wife Shilpa on Women's Day
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:37 PM IST
- Shilpa Shetty's husband Raj Kundra shared a funny and cute video of the two of them to celebrate his wife and an 'amazing role model'.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas: I want to take on more roles that make me nervous and uncomfortable
By Juhi Chakraborty
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:34 PM IST
Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she wants to check in with her artistic self and lean in as a producer and tell the stories she wants to see — female stories, South Asian stories.

When Priyanka stood up for Meghan Markle, slammed 'racist' treatment by media
UPDATED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:32 PM IST
- In the past, Priyanka Chopra stood up for her friend, Meghan Markle, and called the treatment of her by the press 'racist'. Here's what she had said.

Darsheel Safary: Want to explore the darker side of characters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:13 PM IST
The excitement for birthdays changes with age

After Kareena shares first picture of second baby, Karisma and Malaika react
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 04:54 PM IST
- Kareena Kapoor's friends and family members reacted to her Women's Day post, in which she shared the first picture of her second son.