[tps_footer]The suave, sophisticated, urbane, yuppie, charming Imran Khan is a youth icon in his own right. Born Imran Pal, he comes with an envious film lineage. Grandson of legendary filmmaker Nasir Hussain and nephew of Mansoor Khan (who made Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak), perhaps Imran’s biggest identity was that he is Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan’s nephew as well.
Naturally, films ran in Imran’s blood. Not your average filmy child, though. Imran grew up sheltered from the industry. His parents divorced while he was still very young, and Nuzhat Khan brought her son back to India, from the U.S.A (where he was born). The young lad was then sent to boarding school in Coonoor, thereby shielding him from the harsh arclights, for a time.
Nevertheless, the film bug was so strong that Imran appeared as a child artiste in his uncle’s Aamir’s films, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Imran then went back to America for High School, staying with his father Anil Pal, and then went on to study filmmaking in Los Angeles, imagining himself to be a director someday. Eventually returning to India, Khan decided to change tracks, and enrolled himself in Kishore Namit Kapoor’s acting academy.
Imran debuted in 2008, with the sweet, sensitive, coming-of-age love story, Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, directed by the able Abbas Tyrewala. Girls would go weak in the knees for him, but none of the success and the adulation ever went to his head.
Soon after, though, Imran suffered a spate of flops. His films Kidnap and Luck did not work at the box office. Nevertheless, lady luck did shine on Imran in 2010, when he bagged the big-budget I Hate Luv Storys opposite Sonam Kapoor. Both found their redemption in this Karan Johar production, and the romantic comedy once again established Imran as a red-hot star to look out for.
Since then, Imran has also been maturing as an actor, taking up roles and genres as varied as Break Ke Baad (romantic comedy), Delhi Belly (adult/ black comedy), Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (romance), Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (rom com) and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (drama/ social satire).
But a real step out of the box for Imran was playing gangster in last year’s Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai Dobara. The film was a complete cast against type, that is to say Imran was completely unsuited for the part, but he ended up giving his best shot. Though the film tanked, he was appreciated for his nuanced, restrained portrayal of a gangster in love with his boss’ girl.
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Imran had another success last year, with Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, another Punit Malhotra directorial, in which he starred opposite the vivacious and beautiful Kareena Kapoor Khan. The handsome actor also has a slew of big films lined up, including Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Milan Talkies, Vikramaditya Motwane’s upcoming superhero film, Desi Hamlet, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next.
In his personal life, Imran is fiercely private, just like his mamu Aamir. He is only seen around the time of release of his films. Another trait he takes from his superstar uncle is social awareness, and activism.
He is related to several NGOs and causes, and has never shied away from being present to support any cause. Imran is married to his childhood sweetheart Avantika Malik, whom he says is a grounding and stabilising force in his life. The two wed in a private ceremony in 2011. Incidentally, Imran’s anniversary is on 10 January, three days before his birthday!
Join us in celebrating the birthday of a fabulous actor, and even nicer human being![/tps_footer]
