Irrfan Khan: I want to keep breaking my image

Uniqueness and variety are two rules actor Irrfan Khan (right) has stuck to throughout his film career. The acclaimed actor, known for movies like The Namesake, Life In A... Metro, and Paan Singh Tomar, says he wants...

Uniqueness and variety are two rules actor Irrfan Khan (right) has stuck to throughout his film career. The acclaimed actor, known for movies like The Namesake, Life In A... Metro, and Paan Singh Tomar, says he wants to continue breaking his own image in the industry with new and fresh projects.

“I would love to do roles which are exciting and I don’t want to be bracketed in one kind of definition. I would rather like to keep breaking my image than creating it,” said Irrfan, who was recently named the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year for his contribution to the world of entertainment. Rather than waiting for the right role to come his way, the 50-year-old chooses from whatever he is offered. “My pattern is whatever comes my way, I have to chose from that. I cannot create roles,” he added.

In his decade-plus association with showbiz, the actor has not just amassed a filmography of more than 100 but also made a foray into international projects like Slumdog Millionaire, The Amazing Spider-Man and the recently released Life of Pi. He says his profession has given him an insight to his personal self. “This field of storytelling has allowed me to reflect on my life. This is unique because it gives me a chance to see myself. It has added a lot,” he said.