“I am so glad I did EMAET with Kareena” – Imran Khan

By Devansh Patel -

February 18, 2012 - 1:59 PM IST

He has the best track record on screen. From his debut movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na till his recently released Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Imran Khan is basking in the glory of successes and how! There is no doubt he can actually be tagged as the 'King of Rom-Coms'. And by the way, luck has nothing to do with his triumphs on the wide white screen. It's his deft ability to think out of the box in the same genre, to push beyond the comfort level and to make sure he is still making you a bit uncomfortable in your chair (that's for auntijis). Currently shooting for his most ambitious project Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, the actor isn't just undergoing physical transformation by sporting a moustache and a beard but says that it's the most dramatic role he'll ever be playing on the celluloid. But the question is - is he forging yet another success by taking the unconventional path? We will soon find out in this exclusive two part feature on the actor who has his mind on bigger things. First up - his take on success and sustainability, the ageing Karan Johar, his whole nine yards, his newest obsession - 'auntijis' and his never ending fascination for Kareena Kapoor.

Here's what's happening Imran - your success rate at the box office is ninety percent, you are one of the top three successful actors in Bollywood and you are sustainable.
It's very gratifying, the feeling of getting appreciated for not only your work but for your box office successes too. This is what I've learnt from Aamir Khan. He is always a great believer in the fact that everybody should make money. The idea to make a sustainable movie isn't any random ratio or profit share you take from your producer.

“I am so glad I did EMAET with Kareena” – Imran Khan

How different could a rom-com get Imran? I mean, was EMAET diverse than your earlier movies?

As creative people working on the film, a writer, a director and an actor thinks differently as per what they think fits their creativity. With Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, I think what Shakun and Ayesha wrote was, a very fresh and a cute take on the romantic genre. It's a fresh take on a boy-girl relationship. If you want to connect with the young people you have to update the way you look at life and love.

And with more rom-coms being offered to you, how do you intend to go the whole nine yards?
I believe that when you are young your films connect with a lot of people your age. As you grow older, your audience grows with you. As I grow old, my work pattern or process will change. My Jaane Tuâ€¦ Ya Jaane Na audience have come this far today. So they've aged with me too and I will continue to make films for them. Twenty years from now, I will be making films for people my age and the new crop of young actors will bring in the newness then.

Tell me how has Karan Johar aged over the many years of romance and comedy he has been treating us with?
Karan Johar has aged, hasn't he? (Laughs). Karan is very savvy in the way that he has managed to keep his finger on the pulse of what is current. He works the way Aamir Khan works. They are both guys who are obsessed with quality. They will never sit and rest on their laurels. They want to work till they drop. That's why they both look fresh. Karan was our biggest supporter for having an ending like ours in EMAET while most other producers would've freaked out on such an idea. Shakun and I were worried but KJo convinced us that the audiences will accept such an ending.

Did you also know that a whole new segment of people are following you now? Better known as 'Auntijis'.
(Laughs) I don't know whether 'auntijis' are chasing me or not. But the surprising part is that there was a lot of older audience who liked EMAET. They thought I was too sweet and cute (laughs). But I personally thought it was a much younger movie and the whole uncle-aunty audience was a shocker. But I guess something connected well.

Don't tell me your obsession for Kareena Kapoor ends right here.
No, no, not at all (laughs). While I was promoting EMAET with Kareena, I told her that it was so good that I had a choice of doing this film with her rather than being a part of any old fashioned rom-com. I mean the average masala Bollywood flick could've come our way but the amount of respect we got for this film is unmatched. I am so glad I did EMAET with Kareena. I'd love to work with her again sometime, sometime soon (laughs).