Interview by Supriya Davda
YOU couldn’t have missed this good-looking and talented debutant Imran Khan a couple of years ago with his passion debut Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Since then of course a couple of films didn’t do that well but Imran Khan is back after his successful film I Hate Luv Stories with Break Ke Baad.
Bollywood Reporter Supriya Davda caught up with the nephew of Aamir Khan…
Welcome to London, do you like London?
I love London, not so keen on the weather here though. I come from a tropical place, so I am used to warmer temperatures. Our winter drops to around 25 degrees and people pull out their jackets, ‘oh man its cold tonight’. I like the fact that London is always so busy here, very much like Mumbai. I would hate to be in a quiet place.
Tell us about Break Ke Baad.
It is a young modern love story about a boy and a girl who have been dating for a really long time. The characters are about 23 or 24 years old and they have been dating for the past ten years now. In beginning of the film you see them in love, very much a happy couple. And then within the first 20 minutes of the film, you see them break up and see what happens after they break up – what their journey is, how they change as people, and what they learn. It’s really the story of what happens after that break up.
It is a young modern love story about a boy and a girl who have been dating for a really long time. The characters are about 23 or 24 years old and they have been dating for the past ten years now. In beginning of the film you see them in love, very much a happy couple. And then within the first 20 minutes of the film, you see them break up and see what happens after they break up – what their journey is, how they change as people, and what they learn. It’s really the story of what happens after that break up.
Give us a feel of your character, delve into that?
My character is a straight forward guy. What I really liked about this guy was that he is this classic, old-fashioned romantic hero. The story is about urban relationships, but the guy himself is an old-fashioned romantic who believes I have met a girl and she is the one now. Even if she breaks up with him, he will do anything to get back with her. And I really liked this character, it was a very endearing character and it was a very classic look at romance. Off late we have become very cynical and a little jaded with our love stories and this to me was classic romance.
What attracted you most to the script?
I actually first said no to the film. I had a lot of issues with the script. And the second half of the film was really not working for me. I told the director Danish Aslam, that you have a great first half, and you have some nice characters, but the film isn’t coming together. So I passed on it and I went onto making I Hate Luv Stories and I was about a month into shooting for IHLS, and I bumped into Danish at a friends place. In the first five minutes I didn’t actually remember him, we exchanged hellos and I thought this face looks familiar. We started chatted and I realised that this guy and I have a lot in common and I thought I really like this guy, and he is bright, and some where whilst chatting with him, I realised that this is the guys film I turned down (laughs).
We really hit it off; it was like we have been friends for years. He said he had been working on the script, and would like me to re-read it. And that’s how it all started; the second version of the script just blew me away. I loved the script and I love Danish, he’s like my best friend now. And another very important factor on deciding what film to do is a great script a great director and a strong producer who will make the film the way it’s supposed to be made. And we found that in our producer Kunal Kohli.
Did you find that this was one of the films that you could put in some creative input into the character?
Well I tend to work with people like that. Film-making is a very collaborating process. Its not a one man show, it is about everyone working together. Ultimately the director is the captain of the ship. He or she will have the final call.
Do you find that there is a bit of Imran in this character?
There is a lot of Imran in this character. And that’s what really appealed me to this film and character. When reading the script, I felt as if I knew where this guy was coming from. And if I were in this situation I would kind of do the same thing. The character spoke to me.
Any funny incidents that took place on set?
(Laughs) It just gets weirder and weirder. I tell you what; we shot parts of the film in Mauritius, which is relatively quiet. And after 8pm there isn’t a lot to do. We shot about a couple hours away from our hotel so we’d rise at 5am, get to the location at 7am and pack up in the evening at about 8pm.
We hired a mini bus to take us to and fro with fifteen to twenty people in the bus and we’d get a case a of beer and party all the way back to the hotel. It was a bit like a road trip, party on the wheels almost! I have never been on a film that’s partied as hard as this one. Every single evening, it was a great laugh.
It seems as though your audience wants to see Imran Khan only as the romantic hero. Your more experimental work like Luck and Kidnap didn’t do so well at the box office, but I thought you were great in both. Do you think Rom-Coms have become your comfort zone?
It is certainly a comfort zone, but its something that I love doing, they are fun to do. They rely strongly on the chemistry of the two leads. Most of our romantic stories have a very basic story line where it either works on an acting performance level, or it doesn’t. I don’t believe that I should restrict myself to one particular genre – you can’t really work that way. But I don’t know what it is, but I tend to just get offered romantic ‘hero’ roles.
Do you think the audiences like seeing you in these so-called romantic hero roles and as yourself?
Yes certainly you are right about that, its definitely very simple and very me. I decided to sign Luck and Kidnap because I wanted to do something different. I think because my character in Kidnap was a grey character it was harder for the audiences to accept me in this manner. It actually worked in the UK, but people back home didn’t quite like it.
Yes certainly you are right about that, its definitely very simple and very me. I decided to sign Luck and Kidnap because I wanted to do something different. I think because my character in Kidnap was a grey character it was harder for the audiences to accept me in this manner. It actually worked in the UK, but people back home didn’t quite like it.
How is it working with Deepika Padukone for the first time?
I don’t think I can say enough good things about her. I have got to know Deepika over the course of making the film. She is someone who really cares about her work, very meticulous. She puts in a lot of effort and is very concerned with improving herself and becoming a better actor. These are the kind of people you want to work with. It motivates you constantly and keeps you on your toes.
I don’t think I can say enough good things about her. I have got to know Deepika over the course of making the film. She is someone who really cares about her work, very meticulous. She puts in a lot of effort and is very concerned with improving herself and becoming a better actor. These are the kind of people you want to work with. It motivates you constantly and keeps you on your toes.
How would you say fame has changed you?
Fame and the failure have given me a lot. The fame obviously gives you a little confidence and comfort. It gives you a certain level of power. I know who I am and what I am. Both failure and fame have created the right balance in my life. And also you can walk into a restaurant without making reservations!
Break Ke Baad is on general release now
