I never got my due in Bollywood: Imran Khan

Hits and flops are a part of any actor’s career but Imran Khan feels people have been too harsh on him for his failed outings while overlooking his successes.

The 32-year-old actor made a successful Bollywood entry with 2007 film “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na” but after that it has been a mixed run for him at the box-office.

While “I Hate Luv Storys”, “Delhi Belly” and “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” did well, films like “Luck”, “Kidnap”, “Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu”, “Break Ke Baad” and “Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola”.

Before Imran took a two-year sabbatical to take care of his pregnant wife, his two ventures “Gori Tere Pyar Mei” and “Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara!” tanked.

The actor said he finds it weird that the hits he has delivered with first time directors are conveniently forgotten but the blame of the flops comes to him.

“I have never felt I quite got my due. I have often felt that in my career I have done good films, hit movies but the credit somehow goes to the director and people say ‘he made him act’ or to the promotions.

“But when a film flops the responsibility is mine and somehow all the flops that I had, have been with big directors so I feel ‘You are such established directors and all the blame is on me!’ When I have given hits with first time directors then the credit goes to the producers. This has been a trend throughout my career. There is a strange perception about me,” Imran told PTI.

He, however, believes things are changing with his latest outing “Katti Batti”.

The actor said he finally feels accepted by the audience, thanks to the “positive” response he has got from the viewers for his performance in the romantic-comedy, which once again has garnered mix reviews. .
“Katti Batti”, co-starring Kangana Ranaut, opened last week and though the movie got divided opinions, Imran is unperturbed.

“We knew about the divided opinion while going in the movie. I was ready for polarised reactions. But ‘Katti Batti’ is very important for me. I wanted audience and the industry to see that I am good.

“Suddenly for me to hear praise about my work is huge…

For people to say that we didn’t like the film but Imran’s work is good, that is huge for me. This is better than anything that I have got in ny career.”

The actor said he was “over confident” about “Katti Batti” despite being away from the screen.

“I was not under confident about the return with ‘Katti Batti’. I was over confident as I knew what we were doing. I have realised whenever I have felt wrong about a film, it has flopped. I would not share my opinion with my directors thinking they are senior and have better knowledge but with time I realised that I should follow my guts.”

Having been in a 13-year-old relationship with his now wife, Imran said he could understand the ups and downs between the lead couple in “Katti Batti”.

“I understood Maddy. Having gone through those ups and downs in my real relationship I knew the character and I knew I could bring a lot to him. There was so much I could relate to. Audiences understand when you are being honest, that’s why my character connected with them.”

Imran blames his image of an unsuccessful actor to his own reluctance in riding the self-promotional bandwagon.

“I don’t play the PR game. I do miss the comfort of a good PR where only good things are written about you and not the bad things. I find myself in a position where I am defending a seven-year-old flop. People say your ‘Kidnap’ tanked. This makes me feel ‘It is so old. Please move on.’

“But I realise I have my inhibitions about this. I am a shy person. I can’t hang out with people in industry or make friends. I know you have to be friendly with the media. Actors call editors when something bad is written about them but I can’t do this.”

When asked if Kangana’s current formidable standing in the industry affected their working relationship or forced any changes in the script, Imran said, “When we started working Kangana had given two flops ‘Revolver Rani’ and ‘Ungli’ after a hit ‘Queen’. While I was sitting on hits like ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ and ‘Delhi Belly’ but that did not change any dynamics so why would her success bring any change.”

Many suggested that “Katti Batti” is Imran’s relaunching vehicle, especially with Kangana’s screen time being less than his in the movie.

Imran, however, denied the perception. “We never really thought in that way. We were just making a film that we all liked. It was not meant to re-launch me. Strangely, people think I never had a success after ‘Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na’.

My other successes are easily forgotten.” PTI PSH

Inputs by PTI