‘I have grown with every film’ Nov 08, 2013 - Lipika Varma | Age Correspondent

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‘I have grown with every film’

Nov 08, 2013 - Lipika Varma |

• Age Correspondent

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Not many know that Imran Khan had rejected Gori Tere Pyar Mein four times. “I did not find the initial drafts very entertaining. I always felt that we needed to make a film like I Hate Luv Stories. I told Puneet that IHLS was a success, so let’s try along the same lines. Finally Puneet requested me to read the fifth draft and said ‘If you don’t like it this time then we will not do it.’ This time, however, I realised what exactly was in his mind and I agreed to do the film. Now I realise that IHLS was superficial compared to GTPM, this will be closer to everyone’s hearts.”
Imran adds that he missed his I Hate… co-star Sonam Kapoor in GTPM. “Yes I do miss her. But I cannot ask the director to cast so and so. Working with Kareena for the second time was a lot of fun. We could add more to the pages given to us.”
Since his debut, Imran has changed a lot. “I like to bring changes with every film. Personally too, I do find a lot of improvement in me. Anyone from the creative field would always love to perform better. The day we creative people feel that we need not grow, we would’ve become stagnant. Everyday is a learning experience for us. I have grown with every film,” he says.
Not many know that Imran’s wife Avantika and Puneet were friends even before Imran was introduced to her. “Their grandmoms were great pals. So Avantika, like a true friend, always tries to pinpoint drawbacks in his filmmaking. She loved Gori Tere… but she still told him ‘you are so bright, you should use your intelligence better’. Puneet is literally very scared of her,” the actor says.
About his criteria for choosing films, Imran says, “When I read the script I should feel like buying a ticket and watching the film. I feel that the promos of any film should ignite that feeling in audiences.”
His last film, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaraa had failed at the box office. He says, “My role was appreciated by everyone. At a certain level we lose control. All we can do is perform our parts well. All our big stars have given flops. Our profession is very unpredictable; we cannot vouch for our films. But that does not mean we sit down and not move ahead. If it is pouring, then we need to buy an umbrella and move on. We feel bad but we can’t be bogged down by failures. Do not take success to your mind and failure to heart.”
Imran adds, “This year has definitely opened up new avenues for me in terms of roles. From Matru… to the negative character in Once Upon…. and the next will be Bhavesh Joshi. It is based on a rebel guy who feels that things are not happening in the right way. He wants to bring about a change. I am yet to get into this rebel character. I am working on it though.”
But is there a rebel inside him? “Yes, I do what I think is right and Avantika supports me.” He concludes with an anecdote, “You know, once, when I was 19, I changed my name to visit my then girlfriend’s house in Chennai. I stayed there for a week. Her father was from the Army I was afraid of getting shot. But then love is blind, you know.”