Nephew of actor Aamir Khan, Imran Khan gained recognition for his charming on-screen presence and boy-next-door appeal. He continued his journey with movies like “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008),” “I Hate Luv Storys (2010),” “Delhi Belly (2011),” and “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011).” He took a sabatical from films in 2015 after failure of his last few films.
Despite his absence from films, he achieved a cult following and a dedicated fan base, which campaigned for his comeback.
Early Life of Imran Khan
Imran Khan was born on January 13, 1983, in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. His father, Anil Pal, was a software engineer of Bengali descent, studied at IIT Bombay. Anil later worked as a senior manager at Yahoo in California. His mother, Nuzhat Khan, a psychologist, hails from a film family. Her father was the renowned director-producer Nasir Hussain. Her brother is director-producer Mansoor Khan and her cousin is superstar Aamir Khan.
His parents divorced when he was just a toddler, after which Nuzhat moved with Imran to Mumbai. He adopted the surname Khan following the separation. As a child he had a stammer, facial tics, and struggled academically. He later attributed these challenges to the emotional strain of his changed family dynamics. In Mumbai, his stepfather, actor Raj Zutshi, became a father figure during his formative years.
Education and Training
Imran’s schooling began at Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai, but the strict environment exacerbated his stammering and nervousness, leading to a decline in his academic performance. Seeking a more nurturing setting, his mother transferred him to Blue Mountain School, a boarding school in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. When the principal of Blue Mountain left to start a Gurukul in Ooty, Imran followed, finding the alternative education system more suited to his needs. Later, he moved to Sunnyvale, California, to live with his father and attended Fremont High School.
Initially aspiring to become a film director, Imran pursued a degree in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles branch. Imran was inpired by author Roald Dahl’s works on directing, writing, and cinematography. After completing his degree, he briefly worked in market research and advertising in the U.S. After returning to Mumbai he enrolled in Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute. His made his acting debut as a child artist. He played the younger version of Aamir Khan in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), both directed by Mansoor Khan.
Debut and Early Success
Imran’s adult acting debut came in 2008 with romantic comedy Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, opposite Genelia D’Souza. The film was directed by Abbas Tyrewala featured Imran as Jai Singh Rathore, a non-violent college student navigating love and friendship. Critics praised his restrained and vulnerable portrayal of Jai, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.
I Hate Luv Storys (2010), directed by Punit Malhotra, saw Imran as Jay, a cynical assistant director who doesn’t believe in love, opposite Sonam Kapoor. The film, a lighthearted take on romantic clichés, was a commercial hit.
Critical Acclaim
Delhi Belly (2011), a black comedy produced by Aamir Khan and directed by Abhinay Deo, marked a departure from his lover-boy image. Playing Tashi, a journalist caught in a chaotic crime caper, Imran showcased his versatility alongside co-stars Kunaal Roy Kapur and Vir Das. The film was a sleeper hit, and its bold humor resonated with younger audiences.
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, featured Imran as Kush, a man searching for a bride for his brother, only to fall for the chosen girl, played by Katrina Kaif. The film, co-starring Ali Zafar, was a commercial success. Imran’s comic timing was well-received, alongwith his chemistry with Katrina nad Ali Zafar.
Some of his other films include Kidnap (2008), and Break Ke Baad (2010).
Leanphase, Haitus and Struggles
In 2012 he starred opposite Kareena Kapoor in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012), a romantic comedy directed by Shakun Batra. He played Rahul, a repressed architect who accidentally marries a free-spirited woman in Las Vegas. The film was praised for its fresh take on relationships, with Imran’s understated performance complementing Kapoor’s energy. In 2013, he ranked 40th on Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list, reflecting his popularity and income during his peak years.
Imran saw a career dip with many with most of his subsequent films not getting much attention by the audience. In this p[eriod hew starred in films like Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013), Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara! (2013), Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (2013), and Katti Batti (2015). None of these films met with any significant sucsses. He also directed the documentary short film Mission Mars: Keep Walking India (2018).
Imran faced setbacks with many box-office failures, leading him to take a break from acting in 2015. During this hiatus, he opened up about his struggles with depression and body image in a 2023 Instagram post. He reveals that how the pressure to look good from industry is making actor’s life a hell. He said thet he himself indulged in unhealthy use of anabolic steroids to achieve a muscular physique, which impacted his mental health.
Personal Life of Imran Khan
Imran Khan began dating Avantika Malik at the age of 19, they married on January 10, 2011. The couple welcomed their daughter, Imara Malik Khan, on June 9, 2014. However, after eight years of marriage, they separated in May 2019 due to irreconcilable differences, with Avantika moving out with Imara.
A social activist, Imran has supported PETA campaigns and spoken out on social issues, including featuring in an All India Bakchod video against the criminalization of homosexuality in India. He also wrote columns for The Hindustan Times starting in 2009, sharing his perspectives on various topics. Imran prefers a low-key lifestyle, avoiding controversies and the limelight.
Imran Khan on IMDB
