Is Imran going the Aamir way?

A reluctant multi-tasker, Imran Khan enjoys taking it slow and steadyImran Khan’s career can be compared to a game of Snakes and Ladders. After his impactful debut in Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na worked to his advantage, his next two movies, Kidnap and Luck, set him back. Ever since, the actor has been playing a steady game with romantic comedies such as I Hate Luv Storys and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan that have worked at the box-office. However, it was last year’s mammoth hit Delhi Belly that made him realise that if one has to stay in the spotlight, one has to constantly entertain.

“Audiences get bored seeing you in repetitive roles. Although not consciously, I do strive to try out different things in films,” says Imran, whose coming-of-age romantic comedy Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu releases this week. The young actor’s bigger challenge, however, will be Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, where he plays a rustic character for the first time.

Imran, often called the Ashton Kutcher of Bollywood, is ready to adapt to method acting. While this again reminds us of his mentor Aamir Khan, he insists the next film demands it. “My previous films did not require me to work on myself as much. Matru is giving me a chance to do that. I recently spent four months in Haryana learning Haryanvi. I am also working out for a rustic look,” he says.

Much like his famous maternal uncle, Imran chose to bide his time very early in his career. He learnt from his mistakes, honed his craft, practised his dance moves and signed one movie at a time. “I am not sure if I have subconsciously imbibed Aamir’s traits. This is more or less the way I am,” he states.

His inability to multi-task also helps him focus on what he has at hand. “I can’t even have dinner and watch TV at the same time,” he says. For instance, Imran, currently promoting Shakun Batra-directed Ek Main, will start work on Matru only after the former has released.

Punit Malhotra, who worked with him in I Hate Luv Storys, says Imran likes to “give his all to a character and perfect it”. Batra believes that he can be “easily moulded” into any character.

Unlike his career, Imran has had a dull personal life. No controversies or link-ups and an occasional media-created war with his contemporary Ranbir Kapoor, he isn’t big on tabloid headlines. But his heroines feel this adds to his charm. Deepika Padukone calls him “a level-headed actor”, while Sonam Kapoor terms him “a quick learner”, especially when it comes to the dance moves. However, the best compliment comes from his current co-star Kareena Kapoor, who calls him a dark horse. “He has that special quality in him, and much like Aamir, he will be the biggest actor in the long run,” Kapoor says.

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