Posted:
I don't expect anything I don't deserve
We are in conversation with the "newest and cutest" Khan in town. Come get to know Imran Khan.
Did you always want to be a part of the film industry?
Imran: Subconsciously it was there. I loved being on the sets. Everything about the movies..it was always there.
You were in a boarding school? How was it like?
Imran: I was always in a boarding school. I changed many schools but the last one was a Gurukul. It was out in the jungles we had no electricity, we cooked our own meals, washed our clothes and looked after ourselves.
Did it contribute to your personality?
Imran: I am a great believer in boarding schools. I think it teaches you how to be independent. Whoever I've met from a boarding school, has never said anything bad about it.
I think it teaches you a lot. Of course, in the beginning there is home sickness but you get over it.
You didn't go to college but you did a film-making course from New York. Tell us about it.
Imran: Yeah, I never went to college! At some point of time, I knew there was nothing for me that they could teach. I sat down and found out about the course, it was in L.A. and you know you have Hollywood there.
I learnt writing, direction, cinematography,editing..the entire package. Then I decided to specialise in writing and direction as I love writing and cinematography.
How, when and why did you do a bartending course?
Imran: I was in L.A and had finished film school..I met this guy, the same guy who taught Tom Cruise to do cool stuff with bottles in the movie Cocktail.
He had a training institute where they train bartenders and this guy had been a bartender in some of the famous bars in Studio 54 in New York.
I signed up for this course as it was something interesting to learn.
So how was the experience?
Imran:It was great fun. They didn't train you with real alcohol but the only real thing was the ice. But the final exams was challenging..you had to remember all the names of the drinks, you were assessed on how quickly you made it, how well the drink turned out and the entire presentation.
But the coolest part was everyone wanted you at their party. It was like, "Hey, we should call Imran for the party.." But the downside was everytime you sat, someone would ask you, "Hey dude, just one drink.."
What is your magic mocktail?
Imran:I like making fruits-based cocktails. There they didn't have so many fruits like mango, litchi. They didn't even know about it..litchi is one of my favourite flavours.
One drink you would make to impress someone?
Imran: There's a drink called Irish...it's a deadly one.
What's your personal style statement?
Imran: Nothing! I am one of those people who is not very stylish. I wear old shoes with tee-shirts, I am not a brand guy. But I do have designer clothes.
I change my tee-shirts, change my underwear but I haven't changed the jeans I'm wearing for three weeks!
It is one of my costumes for my next film, and I have been asked to wear them to give them an aged look.
But what about the funky belt you're wearing?
Imran: This is a comic belt from old school Batman series. I'm a huge Batman fan. Okay you caught me, I like strange things!
I just go for Wayfarers sunglasses..the classic square frame that all the rockstars wore. So I tracked them down. Now that's my personal style.
What does your wardrobe consist of?
Imran: My wardrobe consists entirely of jeans and tee-shirts and pretty much nothing else. I have a few cargo pants, I have a bunch of weird ties always with interesting stuff on it and lots of converse shoes. I love them. I always make a point to pick up those wherever I go.
Different colours different looks that's it. I don't do accessories..nothing round the neck, just one ring which I wear, a couple of watches mostly gifts that's it.
Any fashion fetish?
Imran: Two things - funky ties and funky converse shoes.
On a busy day what would we catch Imran Khan wearing? What would you be wearing locked up in your house?
Imran: If I'm locked up in my house, I would roll out of bed around 11.00 am, I wouldn't meet anybody, would brush my teeth and be wearing boxers or track pants with comfortable tees, really old tees with one or two holes in it..and I'd sit and watch movies all day!
Anything you bought for yourself or someone gifted you after the success of Jaane Tu..?
Imran: Aamir gave me a car after the movie was released. He called me over to his house, took me to the balcony and asked me what I felt about the car below? I looked down, there was a white BMW with a red ribbon on it!
I looked at the car and then looked at Aamir. He was smiling, I looked at the car, then I looked at him again and asked, "I hope you're not kidding..b'cause if you are I will kill you!
He took me down handed over the keys and said, "Lets go for a drive." That was a gift I loved. I don't think anybody gets such great presents.
Two things that turn you on?
Imran: Intelligence and movies. If they tell me, I have an hour's break, I'd run in and watch a movie on my laptop! And when I come on the sets in the morning, I'm all excited, I love being on a set.
How are you handling all the female attention? Koel Puri had said she would like to invite the newest and the cutest Khan on her show.
Imran: I'm not getting female attention! I don't know where the girls are..I remember when Aamir made his debut there were sacks of fan mails from girls and girls writing letters in blood!
I haven't got a single letter, girls don't hang around my house. I don't know what's the deal.
I remember before Saawariya released there were girls in huge numbers outside Ranbir's house. I was wondering how come that doesn't happen to me? I think, they think, I'm a sweet guy.
Are you interested in Body Art?
Imran: Tattoo's are addictive. People say smoke is addictive, tattoos are addictive. I got one when I was 17 and have been wanting one more. I'll probably get a couple more.
What's the importance of friendship in your life?
Imran: Friendship means a lot to me. I don't make friends easily. I have very few friends who are very close. I'm fiercely loyal to them so the bottom line is that I don't take it lightly.
Do you have friends in Bollywood? Are they easy to sustain?
Imran: I think it's really easy to make friends in Bollywood. Minissha and I became very close friends in the course of time. Kunal Kapoor is also a very dear friend.
You know how they say actresses can't be friends. I've seen it here and there and it's true but I suspect guys can be friends with any one.
What would you do on a Boys Night Out?
Imran: Guys do the same thing - sit with friends, have lots of beer and talk about women and hey make really dirty jokes!
Who is the real Imran Khan?
Imran: I am trying to keep all the threads together..people say you are this and you are that. I make sure I don't fall off.
How did films happen?
Imran: It's in the family, it's hereditary. My grandfather was in films, his son, Mansoor, my uncle, is a director. So I think I always wanted to be a part of it.
I enjoyed writing. I had been making films since I was 11 on my Handycam. I enjoyed that, I enjoyed acting but never thought of becoming an actor. Mostly because I didn't think there was a place for me in the industry.
Our industry is overly into commercial cinema. An actor has to look a certain way, act a certain way. I honestly never looked at myself that way. So I thought I'll become a director and make the films I want and people would like it.
So I went around with my script and told people I want to do so and so and I kind of stumbled into Abbas. He was casting for the film Jaane Tu.. and it's one of those happy coincidences.
Who drew you towards cinema? Who was your inspiration?
Imran: Mansoor, as when I was born my grandfather had stopped making films. He had retired and I saw Mansoor making two films QSQT and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander.
I saw it from the scripting to the music becoming a full-fledged song..I loved being on the sets, watched the editing. I thought this is great, this is cool, I want to do this.
Did it help being Aamir's nephew?
Imran: Actually it didn't. I had written a few special episodes and took it to a few producers..they said it's great and I never spoke to them about my relationship with Aamir.
They loved it so much that they ripped off my script without buying it from me!
What have you learnt from your past experience?
Imran: You should not congratulate yourself too much, the second you start thinking your work is great you are screwed. You have to be critical of your work and work for it the same way you worked for your first film.
And not listen to all the good things people have to say about me!
Is it difficult being loved by everyone in the industry, being from the Khan khandan, being Aamir's nephew?
Imran: Its never been difficult for me to stay grounded. My family has taught me to not take things for granted and not to expect the things you don't deserve.
I have learnt this love, success and fame lasts for a very short time. I mean you are absolutely at the top, people worship you and two years later you are too old. It's over..it's very harsh. It's great while it lasts but it won't last.
Did you always want to be a part of the film industry?
Imran: Subconsciously it was there. I loved being on the sets. Everything about the movies..it was always there.
You were in a boarding school? How was it like?
Imran: I was always in a boarding school. I changed many schools but the last one was a Gurukul. It was out in the jungles we had no electricity, we cooked our own meals, washed our clothes and looked after ourselves.
Did it contribute to your personality?
Imran: I am a great believer in boarding schools. I think it teaches you how to be independent. Whoever I've met from a boarding school, has never said anything bad about it.
I think it teaches you a lot. Of course, in the beginning there is home sickness but you get over it.
You didn't go to college but you did a film-making course from New York. Tell us about it.
Imran: Yeah, I never went to college! At some point of time, I knew there was nothing for me that they could teach. I sat down and found out about the course, it was in L.A. and you know you have Hollywood there.
I learnt writing, direction, cinematography,editing..the entire package. Then I decided to specialise in writing and direction as I love writing and cinematography.
How, when and why did you do a bartending course?
Imran: I was in L.A and had finished film school..I met this guy, the same guy who taught Tom Cruise to do cool stuff with bottles in the movie Cocktail.
He had a training institute where they train bartenders and this guy had been a bartender in some of the famous bars in Studio 54 in New York.
I signed up for this course as it was something interesting to learn.
So how was the experience?
Imran:It was great fun. They didn't train you with real alcohol but the only real thing was the ice. But the final exams was challenging..you had to remember all the names of the drinks, you were assessed on how quickly you made it, how well the drink turned out and the entire presentation.
But the coolest part was everyone wanted you at their party. It was like, "Hey, we should call Imran for the party.." But the downside was everytime you sat, someone would ask you, "Hey dude, just one drink.."
What is your magic mocktail?
Imran:I like making fruits-based cocktails. There they didn't have so many fruits like mango, litchi. They didn't even know about it..litchi is one of my favourite flavours.
One drink you would make to impress someone?
Imran: There's a drink called Irish...it's a deadly one.
What's your personal style statement?
Imran: Nothing! I am one of those people who is not very stylish. I wear old shoes with tee-shirts, I am not a brand guy. But I do have designer clothes.
I change my tee-shirts, change my underwear but I haven't changed the jeans I'm wearing for three weeks!
It is one of my costumes for my next film, and I have been asked to wear them to give them an aged look.
But what about the funky belt you're wearing?
Imran: This is a comic belt from old school Batman series. I'm a huge Batman fan. Okay you caught me, I like strange things!
I just go for Wayfarers sunglasses..the classic square frame that all the rockstars wore. So I tracked them down. Now that's my personal style.
What does your wardrobe consist of?
Imran: My wardrobe consists entirely of jeans and tee-shirts and pretty much nothing else. I have a few cargo pants, I have a bunch of weird ties always with interesting stuff on it and lots of converse shoes. I love them. I always make a point to pick up those wherever I go.
Different colours different looks that's it. I don't do accessories..nothing round the neck, just one ring which I wear, a couple of watches mostly gifts that's it.
Any fashion fetish?
Imran: Two things - funky ties and funky converse shoes.
On a busy day what would we catch Imran Khan wearing? What would you be wearing locked up in your house?
Imran: If I'm locked up in my house, I would roll out of bed around 11.00 am, I wouldn't meet anybody, would brush my teeth and be wearing boxers or track pants with comfortable tees, really old tees with one or two holes in it..and I'd sit and watch movies all day!
Anything you bought for yourself or someone gifted you after the success of Jaane Tu..?
Imran: Aamir gave me a car after the movie was released. He called me over to his house, took me to the balcony and asked me what I felt about the car below? I looked down, there was a white BMW with a red ribbon on it!
I looked at the car and then looked at Aamir. He was smiling, I looked at the car, then I looked at him again and asked, "I hope you're not kidding..b'cause if you are I will kill you!
He took me down handed over the keys and said, "Lets go for a drive." That was a gift I loved. I don't think anybody gets such great presents.
Two things that turn you on?
Imran: Intelligence and movies. If they tell me, I have an hour's break, I'd run in and watch a movie on my laptop! And when I come on the sets in the morning, I'm all excited, I love being on a set.
How are you handling all the female attention? Koel Puri had said she would like to invite the newest and the cutest Khan on her show.
Imran: I'm not getting female attention! I don't know where the girls are..I remember when Aamir made his debut there were sacks of fan mails from girls and girls writing letters in blood!
I haven't got a single letter, girls don't hang around my house. I don't know what's the deal.
I remember before Saawariya released there were girls in huge numbers outside Ranbir's house. I was wondering how come that doesn't happen to me? I think, they think, I'm a sweet guy.
Are you interested in Body Art?
Imran: Tattoo's are addictive. People say smoke is addictive, tattoos are addictive. I got one when I was 17 and have been wanting one more. I'll probably get a couple more.
What's the importance of friendship in your life?
Imran: Friendship means a lot to me. I don't make friends easily. I have very few friends who are very close. I'm fiercely loyal to them so the bottom line is that I don't take it lightly.
Do you have friends in Bollywood? Are they easy to sustain?
Imran: I think it's really easy to make friends in Bollywood. Minissha and I became very close friends in the course of time. Kunal Kapoor is also a very dear friend.
You know how they say actresses can't be friends. I've seen it here and there and it's true but I suspect guys can be friends with any one.
What would you do on a Boys Night Out?
Imran: Guys do the same thing - sit with friends, have lots of beer and talk about women and hey make really dirty jokes!
Who is the real Imran Khan?
Imran: I am trying to keep all the threads together..people say you are this and you are that. I make sure I don't fall off.
How did films happen?
Imran: It's in the family, it's hereditary. My grandfather was in films, his son, Mansoor, my uncle, is a director. So I think I always wanted to be a part of it.
I enjoyed writing. I had been making films since I was 11 on my Handycam. I enjoyed that, I enjoyed acting but never thought of becoming an actor. Mostly because I didn't think there was a place for me in the industry.
Our industry is overly into commercial cinema. An actor has to look a certain way, act a certain way. I honestly never looked at myself that way. So I thought I'll become a director and make the films I want and people would like it.
So I went around with my script and told people I want to do so and so and I kind of stumbled into Abbas. He was casting for the film Jaane Tu.. and it's one of those happy coincidences.
Who drew you towards cinema? Who was your inspiration?
Imran: Mansoor, as when I was born my grandfather had stopped making films. He had retired and I saw Mansoor making two films QSQT and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander.
I saw it from the scripting to the music becoming a full-fledged song..I loved being on the sets, watched the editing. I thought this is great, this is cool, I want to do this.
Did it help being Aamir's nephew?
Imran: Actually it didn't. I had written a few special episodes and took it to a few producers..they said it's great and I never spoke to them about my relationship with Aamir.
They loved it so much that they ripped off my script without buying it from me!
What have you learnt from your past experience?
Imran: You should not congratulate yourself too much, the second you start thinking your work is great you are screwed. You have to be critical of your work and work for it the same way you worked for your first film.
And not listen to all the good things people have to say about me!
Is it difficult being loved by everyone in the industry, being from the Khan khandan, being Aamir's nephew?
Imran: Its never been difficult for me to stay grounded. My family has taught me to not take things for granted and not to expect the things you don't deserve.
I have learnt this love, success and fame lasts for a very short time. I mean you are absolutely at the top, people worship you and two years later you are too old. It's over..it's very harsh. It's great while it lasts but it won't last.
Anupamaa
24