On April 27th 2008, the world got its first glance at one of the most exciting actors to enter Bollywood. On his blog, Aamir Khan wrote: "This will be the first film of my nephew Imran, I think I'll post a photo of him. Tell me what you think of the promo, and him" and you could here sighs from all over the world. It would still be weeks before we would hear Imran Khan talk but with that one glance he already had made many a fan. Then the promos for Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na broke and his amazing screen presence made everyone sit up and take notice. This young actor's first film was to set the box office on fire and though he came from a filmi family his path to Jaane Tu was done all on his own.
Imran Khan Pal was born on January 13th,1983 in Madison, Wisconsin to Nuzhat Khan and Anil Pal. His parents divorced before he was two and he lived with his mother. They moved to Bombay and he attended many different schools, starting with the Bombay Scottish School, but things did not go well there. Imran said, "By the time I was in Class IV, I had a stammer, all kinds of nervous tics. I was close to flunking." So Nuzhat moved him to Blue Mountain School in Coonoor and when the headmaster started his own school in the jungles of Ooty, Nuzhat enrolled him there. Imran gave some details about the school saying, "From 10 to 15, I was in a school in the Nilgiris. They didn't even have a name and on an average there were about 25 students. It was in a village called Geddai, about 3 hours down the hill from Ooty. Where we were staying was outside the village, about 6 km in the jungle. There was no electricity, no water and there were wild animals. You didn't have to walk far to see wild boars. We had kerosene lamps for light, we got water from the stream, we grew our own vegetable and cooked our food and washed our clothes. We had built the dorms we stayed in; we actually built our own swimming pool. I was there for 8 months of the year. After every four months I would back to Bombay for 2 months. But when you spend so much time in nature, you get a little frazzled when you come here. The noise, pollution and the overwhelming energies of the people...Also there it was scarcely populated." Nuzhat also used to go visit him, "I used to go visit him every semester. He was a real Mowgli, long hair, barefoot, running around in shorts."
Reading this part of his history you would not think he is part of a filmi family, however his grandfather was director Nasir Hussain and he has some pretty impressive uncles, including the famous director Mansoor Khan, as well as the superstar Aamir Khan. Since he was part of that illustrious family, being in films was his destiny. It was Mansoor Khan who gave him his first break in Bollywood at the tender age of three, when Imran starred as the younger version of Aamir Khan's character Raj in Qaymat Se Qaymat Tak. As a young boy, Imran would also be seen in another Aamir Khan film, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Imran said, "I had a slightly larger role. There was direction, different kinds of scene. That was great fun to do. Mansoor mamu put a lot of care into my performance. Aamir mamu would make it a point to put my make up on himself. When he would come on set he would personally do my makeup."
The film industry bug had bitten and as he grew he became more and more interested in acting and films. He had a star on his door and his family once had to buy tickets to see his production of "The Three Little Pigs" performed in his bedroom. Throughout his teens he would make his own videos: "As a child, I was into writing and making short films. One of the first few films I made was along the lines of Star Wars. I used a handycam to shoot a short film about a few friends and me exploring another planet. People at home were very supportive. Mansoor mamu would advise me on the technical aspects of film-making."
At age 16 he moved to California to live with his father in Freemont to finish high school. His next step would start him on the path of being part of the industry he loved since he was a child. Imran went to film school and studied directing and writing at the prestigious New York Film Academy in Los Angles and graduated with a degree in Film Studies-Direction
So how did a boy who studied in the jungles of India and learned film direction in LA come to star in one of the biggest hits in 2008? After film school, when Imran returned to Mumbai, he had no desire to be an actor but then came the fateful meeting with Abbas Tyrewala. "I wanted to be a director. I've studied in L.A. And worked there for a while. I came back to Mumbai and was meeting people to find work. And throughout all this, I met Abbas. We just really clicked from day one. I loved the script and my character and he was so convinced that I was the right guy for it that I went with it. " After a couple of screen tests Abbas knew Imran was perfect for the part. About first hearing the script Imran said that he identified with the character, a normal simple boy, "When I first heard the script I felt that Abbas has seen me and based the character on me." Imran took one day to think and then said haa.n.
After that first picture on Aamir's blog and before Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na even premiered, his fans at Imran-Khan.org tried to decide what it was about him that they loved, even if they had not yet heard him utter a word. First and foremost, as fans are of course going to think, is that he is just down right cute, but can also be really handsome and sexy at the same time. Many mentioned that they loved his expressions, with one fan saying, "He can deliver so many emotions at once, I just loved it! He looks adorable, full of energy and youth." His screen presence that was another biggie! They all saw a huge potential in him! Another said, "Well, I've been thinking about him since a year or so, since I heard Aamir will be launching his nephew. I didn't know anything about him but already had great expectations as I trust Aamir's taste and intuitions 100%. Then, when I saw the trailers, his look, and how excited and involved Aamir was about him, I knew I was going to loooove him." Once the first promo premiered, the buzz around Jaane Tu got bigger and bigger, the expectations for him got higher, and we still hadn't heard him speak. Then came the voice, the sighs were heard all over again (even more this time) and it was clear that a new rising star was on the horizon.
In a chat Imran revealed his first shot in Jaane Tu, "The first was with Jai and Meghna walking in the park. The scene was ultimately cut from the film but you will probably find it on the DVD. I was not at all nervous." He also revealed what favorite scene was: "My favourite scene in Jaane Tu was what we on set called 'The Farewell Scene'. Jai and Aditi sitting by the waterfront, talking about her going to America, and Jai finally noticing the bruise on her face. I did that scene in my original audition for the film, and then again with several actresses who tested for the film, and I've loved it every time."
Finally after months of counting off the days, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na premiered in theaters on July 4th, 2008 and everyone, critics and fans alike, knew a star was born. In his review for Bollyspice.com Aly Kassam wrote, "Immense anticipation has accompanied the debut of Imran Khan, as he bears the weighty title of being 'Aamir Khan's nephew'. He certainly impresses, and you can tell he's worked hard to make his performance work. His facial expressions and body language is fantastic, he looks the part completely. For the most part he's wonderful, but there are a few sequences in which you wish he'd try to get into the skin of the character more. Sometimes, and I mean only during a few lines here and there, his acting was slightly superficial. Nevertheless, the man has a long and extremely promising future ahead of him. It doesn't matter what he does next or how many films he signs, 'Rats' will always be an iconic character for him." Jaane Tu had a huge opening weekend and is one of the biggest hits of 2008.
Aamir mamu, who stepped in as producer for Jaane Tu, was impressed with Imran's performance saying, "Imran has a good screen presence. The camera loves him and that's a big asset for any actor. He's also a good dancer; but he still has a long way to go. He should extract the optimum out of the opportunity that he has got at a young age." However, Imran is a true nephew of Aamir and was not at all happy with his performance, "I do feel that my performance was very raw. Honestly I cringe whenever I watch the film but I'm not going to give up. I'm going to work harder and get better. However some of the rawness seems to have worked in favour of the character. And ultimately if it suits the film nothing else matters."
Imran is continuing on the acting path and he has a great way of deciding what films he would like to be a part of. "I read a script or listen to a narration and imagine I'm watching a film. By the end, if I think I'd spend money to watch it, I go ahead."
Apparently Kidnap met that requirement, and on October 2nd fans saw Imran take on a character on the opposite side of the spectrum from Jai. "My role in Kidnap is as different as it is possible to get from Jaane Tu. It didn't just come to me, nor did it come easy. I put a lot into preparing for that movie..." The film also stars Sanjay Dutt and on the first day of filming Imran was a bit nervous, "I was nervous and kept fumbling my lines. So I apologized to him. He reacted by giving me a hug and telling me to chill." In talking a bit more about the character he said, "Kabir was tough for me just because he's such a broken, damaged person. When I finished the film, I felt very tired, like I needed to come out into the sun and get reenergized." Though the film was not a hit, Imran's performance was praised by critics with Taran Adarsh saying, "Kidnap belongs to Imran Khan. Watch this youngster take giant strides and you know that he has arrived. He carries the cold look effortlessly."
Also in the pipeline is Luck which is directed by Soham (Kaal). The action adventure film, also stars Shruti Hassan, Mithun Chakraborty, Danny Denzongpa and Sanjay Dutt. The film was shot on location in South Africa. About the concept of the film he said, "Well the film film deals with luck as an actual commodity. What effect it has on those round you and how luck can effect your life more than you realise. Its an adventure film." He also said, "I think it's a helluva concept. No one has done any film like Luck before." The film is has some heavy action and martial arts sequences, which Imran had to train hard in order to perform them in the film.
Will also be seen in another Aamir Khan Productions film Delhi Belly which began shooting on October 11th.
Imran was recently asked what the difference was between his characters in Jaane Tu, Kidnap and Luck and he replied, "I found my character in Kidnap the hardest, simply because I couldn't find any common ground with him. Jai was easy for me to relate to, and my character in Luck is also easier for me to understand. Kidnap, though... I loved the script, loved the character, but man, was I in over my head. Major credit to Sanjay Gadhvi, the director, for having more faith in me than I did, and helping me through the film. Ultimately though, I'm mostly happy with the work I've done, and I've got a good feeling about it."
His fans have a good feeling about it too! With his gorgeous looks, soulful eyes and incredible intelligence, Imran Khan has made his mark in Bollywood, with only two films. Though he comes from a filmi family, they each tread their own path, and Imran certainly seems to be going the right way. After his phenomenal debut one can only expect this young actor to grow and give audiences some brilliant performances. All his fans can do now is wait and watch and cheer when each new film comes out! We here at ImranKhan.org know that he will continue to thrill us with his performances to come and one day with the films he directs himself! We wish him happiness, much success and many blessings now and always.
Filmography
A database of his released movies Kidnap
Release: 2nd Oct 2008
Role: Kabir Sharma
Co-Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Minissha Lamba, Vidya Malvade
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Producer: Shree Ashtavinayak (Cine Vision Pvt. Ltd.)
Music: Pritam
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Release: 4th Jul 2008
Role: Jai Singh Ratore
Co-Starring: Genelia D'Souza, Manjari Fadnis, Prateik Babbar, Sugandha Garg, Alishka Varde, Karan Makhija, Nirav Mehta, Ratna Pathak, Naseeruddin Shah, Arbaaz Khan & Sohail Khan
Director: Abbas Tyrewala
Producer: Aamir Khan Productions
Music: A. R. Rahman
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Release: 1992
Role: Young Sanjaylal (Child Actor)
Co-Starring: Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Deepak Tijori & Pooja Bedi
Director: Mansoor Khan
Producer: Nasir Hussain
Music: Jatin-Lalit
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Release: 1988
Role: Young Raj (Child Actor)
Co-Starring: Aamir Khan & Juhi Chawla
Director: Mansoor Khan
Producer: Nasir Hussain
Music: Anand-Milind
Upcoming Movies
Details on Imran's forthcoming projects Luck
Status: Post-production
Release: To Be Announced
Role: -
Co-Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Shruti Hassan & Mithun Chakraborty
Director: Soham Shah
Producer: Shree Ashtavinayak (Cine Vision Pvt. Ltd.)
Music: -
Delhi Belly
Status: Post-production
Release: To Be Announced
Role: -
Co-Starring: Vir Das, Kunal Roy Kapoor
Director: Abhinay Deo
Producer: Aamir Khan Productions
Music: -
7 days in Paris
Status: Pre-production
Release: To Be Announced
Role: -
Co-Starring: Katrina Kaif
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Producer: -
Music: -
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