Aamir Khan recently opened up about why his nephew Imran Khan stepped away from Bollywood. The actor revealed that Imran never felt comfortable with mainstream Hindi cinema’s expectations.
Imran Khan, known for films like Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly, quit acting in 2015. Aamir explained that Imran preferred realistic roles over typical “hero” characters.
“Imran has a certain creative instinct. He finds it difficult to fit into the mainstream construct we have. That’s not his natural space. Which is why he’d do really well in a film like Jaane Tu… and Delhi Belly. He’s in his element there. But the moment you put him into a regular Hindi film, he won’t fit. He’s not comfortable with herogiri. He wants to play a real person.”
Aamir added that Imran was often offered mainstream films because of his looks. However, Imran wanted to focus on acting rather than stardom.
“Everybody was offering him mainstream films because he’s good-looking. But he wants to be an actor, and not a star.”
Imran Khan made his debut as a child artist in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). He later starred in Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008), which was produced by Aamir. The film was a hit and earned Imran a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.
His other successful films include I Hate Luv Storys (2010), Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), and Delhi Belly (2011). However, after a series of box-office failures, he took a break from acting.
In 2024, reports suggested Imran was planning a comeback with a new film. The project is reportedly being developed for an OTT platform. Danish Aslam, who directed Imran in Break Ke Baad (2010), is writing the script.
Aamir Khan confirmed he is not involved in Imran’s comeback project. The film is expected to be in the same feel-good style as Imran’s earlier hits.
Imran Khan has stayed away from the spotlight since his last film, Katti Batti (2015). He has focused on raising his daughter, Imara Malik Khan, and working on social causes.
Aamir also compared Imran’s career choices to his son Junaid Khan’s approach. Junaid recently made his acting debut and has chosen diverse roles.
*”I think he’s a pretty good actor. I’m really proud he’s done his job really well in both the films. In his second film *Loveyapa, he played a very harami character. That’s opposite his personality, but he pulled it off really well.”
Fans have been eagerly waiting for Imran Khan’s return. His last public appearance was in 2022 when he was spotted in Mumbai with his daughter.
The actor has not officially confirmed his comeback plans. However, sources say the script is still in development and production may start later.
Aamir Khan’s comments shed light on the challenges Imran faced in Bollywood. While many actors thrive in commercial cinema, Imran preferred unconventional roles.
His film choices reflected his desire to avoid typical hero stereotypes. Movies like Delhi Belly allowed him to experiment with darker comedy and flawed characters.
Also Read: Imran Khan Embraces Simplicity: Why He Bid Farewell to Luxury and Stardom
Despite his early success, Imran struggled to find consistent hits. Films like Kidnap (2008) and Luck (2009) underperformed, affecting his career momentum.
Aamir’s latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par, is set to release soon. The actor has been selective with his projects after the failure of Laal Singh Chaddha (2022).
Imran Khan’s potential comeback could mark a new chapter in his career. If the project moves forward, it will be his first acting role in nearly a decade.
Source: Screen
