'I never go to parties and do not endorse brands'

He may be the next big thing, but Imran Khan, whose film Kidnap is set to release this Friday, remains protective of his private space. Ritujaay Ghosh speaks to the actor.

Certain things in life can’t be changed. So it’s better to live with them. That is something Imran Khan has realised and accepted as a natural part of his life. So even if the last three months have turned him from ‘mamu’s boy’ to an
actor of great potential, Imran doesn’t mind the comparisons between him and uncle Aamir Khan.

HT Image

Quite understandably basking in the glory of his debut film Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and flooded with offers even before his second film Kidnap hits theatres this weekend, Imran is nevertheless aware that the success of Jaane Tu... isn’t the only reason that his life has changed so dramatically. The real reason could well be that Bollywood seems to have found its next big star, someone ready to experiment with roles right from his second film.

And it isn’t just his professional life that has changed, but his personal life too. “The biggest proof of this is that I get very good service in restaurants these days. A lot of things are on the house,” jokes Imran, in town to promote Kidnap on Tuesday.

He makes joke about it, but maturity seems to have come early, and easily, to Imran. He is visibly at ease with media pressure, and already shows a knack of choosing projects likely to shape a steady career. “It has all been happening in the past few months. Big people are coming to me with big money and I am refusing most of them,” he grins.

Clearly, success is yet to go to his head because Imran, much like his uncle, likes to keep things slow and steady. And like Aamir, Imran knows how to keep his cool, and enjoy life as a private person. “I never go to parties. And I don’t endorse brands,” he says. Aamir is into endorsement, though, we point out. “I am not against it. But I can’t do it just for money. A shoe brand came to me with huge money and wanted me to endorse it. How could I? I can’t endorse a product which I never use,” says Imran.

The 26-year-old, who would have become a director had he not been acting, would rather protect his private space. And that his career graph is moving much like his uncle’s, is for him a mere coincidence. From a romantic lead in his first film to an action hero in his second reminds one of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak followed by Raakh. “I hope Kidnap doesn’t meet the same fate as Raakh. I wanted to do this film for several reasons — the two Sanjay’s (Gadhvi and Dutt) and Minissha (Lamba). I consider her one of the most natural talents in the industry,” he says.

Acting might not have been his first choice but it’s in his blood and Imran is admittedly enjoying it. “It’s not that I follow Aamir. I consciously try not to. Comparisons are drawn because we are the two people most talked about in the family. But most of the family thinks alike… my mother, my uncle Mansoor Khan…” he says.

This attachment with family extends to Imran’s commitment to girlfriend Avantika. Doesn’t he risk harming his female fan following? “I’ve been with Avantika for six years. I’m very happy but there are no immediate plans for marriage,” he says.
As of now, Imran is readying to shoot the climax of Soham Shah’s Luck, followed by Aamir’s Delhi Belly. “I want to clarify a report about this film. It’s a comedy, not a sex comedy. Aamir would never even think of making one. And he’s only producing it… not directing,” he smiles. The two big projects, however, do not mean he’s changing hsi image. “I’m just one film old and I don’t think I have an image,” he says.

Direction has taken a backseat for the time being, but it’s not ruled out. Imran is confident he will not take as long as his uncle before he goes behind the camera. “Had I not been acting I would have been writing the script of my first film. But I can’t visualise anything now because I expect nothing. I don’t know what the future has in store for me.