Imran Khan turns 30, wants a break from packed schedule

Turning 30 is a big deal, and Imran Khan is looking forward to a day off on his birthday today. It will be one of the few holidays he will get this year.

Turning 30 is a big deal, and Imran Khan is looking forward to a day off on his birthday today. It will be one of the few holidays he will get this year. With a jam-packed schedule, which includes shooting for the Once Upon A Time… sequel, Milan Talkies and Karan Johar’s next with Punit Malhotra, the actor says he’s going to make the most of his day off.

Imran says, “2013 is going to be the busiest year in my career. Normally I do one or two films, but this year I will be shooting for three. There’s absolutely no down time or breaks, which I am upset about. I like to take a break to recharge, but it is choc-o-bloc schedule.”

Talking about his plans for the day, he says, “I have never been big on celebrating birthdays. Since the last six years, I have been shooting on the day. This time, I really want to spend it with friends and family — not go anywhere or do anything. A small group of friends will come over in the evening.”

Embarrassed by the attention he received on his birthdays, Imran tended to avoid them since he was 11.

“I don’t like to, but I always end up cutting cakes. I am not into sweets,” he says. So who’s the first one to wish him? “Avantika, as she’s usually by my side,” Imran says.

But Imran’s most special gift was from his uncle, Aamir Khan. He says, “When I was nine, he gave me a Swiss knife with 50 attachments. It was the coolest thing in the world. He knew I liked it, but since I was too young, he gave it to me three years later. By then, I had forgotten about it.”