Momma's Boy: Imran Khan

For the past couple of days, Jaane Tu debutant Imran Khan has been doing a lot of talking. He has lost count of the media interactions he has done as the countdown for his film's release nears.

At his Pali Hill home (his late grandfather Nasir Hussain's residence) over mouthfuls of fresh fruit, he says he is extremely cool about the big moment of his life as we ask him...

What have you planned for your big day?
Nothing. I am not superstitious. In fact, right till the premiere I will be travelling for the promotions to London and Dubai. Then we go across the country for the post-release publicity.

There must be something worrying you as the countdown nears?
The fact that I have to be all suited and booted on the premiere night. I have lived my life in jeans, T-shirts and floaters. The very thought of wearing a suit is enough to cause me stress.

My stylist has come up with several options and I have yet to decide. Luckily, in Jaane Tu, I had a casual look and in my two other films, Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap and Soham Shah's Luck, the characterisations did not require dressing up.

There's so much known about you and your uncles (Aamir and Mansoor Khan) and mother (Nuzhat Khan), but little is known about your father?
That's because my parents are divorced. My father's name is Anil Pal he is a Bengali. He lives overseas and is with Yahoo! My parents separated when I was very young. But I share an extremely cordial relationship with my father. In fact when he's in town, he's with us.

Your mother later married actor Raj Zutshi?
Yes, but they are now divorced. It is over two years. I share a cordial relationship with him too. So it has always been my mum and her side of the family.

Why do you call yourself Khan? And not Pal?
In a sense, my mother has been a single parent to me, so it has been my mother all the way. That's the reason it's Khan.

What was your most memorable shot for Jaane Tu?
My first shot. It was with co-actor Manjari and both of us had to walk through the Colaba woods. Sadly, it does not exist in the film! I tried my best but Abbas (director) said it did not gel with the flow. I have been told that what Harman shot for the first time for Love Story 2050 is also not there in his film.

Have you ever met Harman?
No, I don't know him nor have  I bumped into him. I do know people who know Harman and talk highly of him. My Jaane Tu co-star Genelia is also Harman's actress in Sanjay Kapoor's film. She tells me he's a cool guy. My hairstylist Ayesha also styles Harman's hair. She tells me he is sweet. I have heard only good things about him.

But you are battling him for the box-office stakes?
That is what it is being made out to be. We are not running a race. Several films can release on the same day and still do well. At the end, what the audience likes, matters.

Are you satisfied with your performance in Jaane Tu?
I belong to that section of people who are never satisfied. I have seen Jaane Tu umpteen times. Every time there is this feeling that I could have done each and every scene better. But then, ultimately, I leave it to the director. If he is happy then I guess it's okay.

If not an actor, you would be...?
A director, that's what I initially wanted to be. But it had to be something to do with films. Maybe it was because I used to hang around on my uncles' sets. I have grown up on their films. I rate Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak as their best.

What is the one big change in your life now?
Being photographed. The other night at an event everyone was taking my snaps. My girlfriend (Avantika Malik) was also being photographed! It appears odd but guess I will have to get used to this now.