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He's cool...literally. Unlike politically correct
Bollywood stars he mouths his mind. After his debut
in Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na, Imraan Khan has become
the new icon of Gen Y. The 24-year old plays the
'bad man' in his second film Kidnap. Our
correspondent catches up with the new Khan on the
block during his breezy visit to Kolkata.
So you are all set to be
seen as 'the angry bad young man' in Kidnap?
Ya...see, I am not going to say 'I am so lucky to
have such diverse roles' sort of thing. Bollywood is
maturing...now we have refreshing storyline as well
as experiment-loving producers who are ready to risk
new subjects with newcomers.
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But can you deny that being
Aamir Khan's nephew has made things easier for you?
Let me make an honest confession. I found my debut project
myself. Abbas Tyrewala, the director of Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane
Na saw me in a party and we gelled well. He narrated me the
script of his new film that Jhamu Sughand was supposed to
produce. I said I am interested in doing the film and was
selected at the screen test. But for some reason Sughand
declined to produce the film. Aamir Khan was looking for a
good film to invest his money. He liked the script and
produced the film. But of course I will always remain
grateful to him for my break. |
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Did you always want to be a part of
Bollywood?
Yes, I wanted to make my career in Bollywood, but not as an
actor. I wanted to be a filmmaker. I am trained in
script-writing and film direction from New York Film
Academy. Actually when I came back to Mumbai, I was meeting
people who will be interested to give me a scope to work
here. In fact my family even said Aamir is wasting his money
in the film because Imraan can't act.
Tell us something about your
character in your second film Kidnap.
You told that yourself in the beginning of the
interview...that I play the 'angry bad young man' with an
edgy look. Actually my character in the film is not as grey
as it looks...after all I am the hero, yaar! But on the
contrary, I had to stretch myself a lot to get into this
character unlike Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na that was a comfort
zone.
There is a rumour that after Jaane
Tu...Ya Jaane Na your signing amount has hiked to Rs.7 crore
that makes you the highest paid newcomer in Bollywood. Is it
true?
I don't know about the 'highest paid newcomer' tag because I
don't have time for market survey. If someone is making a
good small budget film, I will definitely ask for a small
amount.
There's another talk of the town
that you were not the producer's choice for Kidnap ...true?
A:Yes and the full credit goes to director Sanjay Gadhvi.
There was an entire list of actors suggested for the role by
the producers at Ashtavinayak Films. But I was Gandvi's
choice and after a few meetings with the producers I became
their choice too.
You seem to be quite open to
discuss your girlfriend Avantika Malik. Is it a new trend of
neo-Bollywood?
A:During the promotion of Jaane Tu... a journalist in Mumbai
asked me that since Aamir Khan hid his marriage during his
debut in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, do I too have such plans. I
gave her detailed history of my six-year relationship with
Avantika and said if my personal life is the yardstick that
determines the success of my professional life, then I won't
have to showcase my talent. The film will sell like hot cake
anyway since I am a bachelor. As in mamu's (Aamir) case,
there were reasons for his decision. |
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