Imran on a sequel to Delhi Belly
A mention of his year’s first hit, Delhi Belly, produced by mamu (uncle) Aamir Khan, brings a broad smile to Imran Khan’s face. And the suggestion of a sequel, a nod. “Yes, Delhi Belly Part 2 is probable because it ended with my character, Tashi, dumping his fiancée, Sonia (Shenaz Treasury), and falling for fellow reporter Menaka (Poorna Jagganathan) who’s his accomplice-in-crime through all the ‘shit’ that happens. His friends and he have just scraped through by the skin of their teeth, but that doesn’t mean their troubles are over,” reasons Imran who flags off the show, Live My Life, on UTV Stars tonight.
The actor however admits that the film’s co-producer, Akshat Verma, and director Abhinay Deo haven’t started work on the sequel yet. “But whenever it happens, and if it happens, I’d love to be part of it. Delhi Belly was so much fun,” asserts Imran, whose movie’s box office collections were higher than Amitabh Bachchan’s Buddah Hoga Tera Baap that released on the same July weekend.
But he has a few concerns, pointing out that sequels can be tricky. “The first film works because it’s an interesting concept executed in a novel way. But the follow-up may not be quite as appealing. Take the case of the American Pie series; the first movie was impressive, but the others were pale imitations,” he argues, adding, “I’m not saying that’s what could happen to Delhi Belly too, it’s just a concern I’m expressing. Delhi Belly and American Pie don’t even belong to the same genre.”
The buzz is that Kiran Rao, who was the one who recommended the Delhi Belly script to husband Aamir after she picked it up by chance one evening, is penning the sequel. Imran confirms that she’s writing a script, but says he has no clue what the movie is about.
“All I know is that Kiran is developing a script. Whether she needs me in the movie or not is something we can speculate on only later,” he says, adding, “She didn’t have a part for me in Dhobi Ghat, her directorial debut. So it’s not necessary that I’ll be a part of her next film.”
Imran Khan is the new ‘gay icon’ of B’town
The simmering Imran Khan-Ranbir Kapoor rivalry may flare up once again and set the mercury soaring in B-Town, as the Delhi Belly actor has now entered the RK scion’s domain. Imran has made it to the cover of a gay magazine apparently making him the first actor to feature in one.
So far, it was Ranbir who was looked upon as the ultimate gay icon, apart from John Abraham in his Dostana avatar. But this development may tilt the scales in Imran’s favour as now it’s he who’s being pitched as the next gay icon, what was originally Ranbir’s card. And like Ranbir, Imran too has admitted that he takes it as a compliment and such tags are flattering. As for beating Ranbir on what was so far considered his turf, a source says that Imran has never looked at it as competition. Incidentally, both Ranbir and Imran have admitted to being supporters of the gay rights.
As for their own chemistry, while the two actors have always laughed off their blow-hot-blow-cold vibes, insiders reveal that it’s always been a friends-by-far situation. “Sure they are most cordial when they meet up or rather run into each other at public events, but to be honest neither is particularly fond of each other. But it’s understandable. They are professional rivals after all and it’s very difficult to keep personal relationships friendly then,” says an insider.
This year the actors are in a tagdi takkar with each other at the BO too. “Comparisons between the two are inevitable. Imran’s riding high on Delhi Belly and has two big films to bank on, while Ranbir is also looking forward to Rockstar and Barfee. It’ll be interesting to watch the two,” adds an industrywallah.
“Ranbir Kapoor is a better actor”
Actor Imran Khan, 28, doesn’t believe in his acting skills. For him, fellow actor Ranbir Kapoor is a better actor.
“Ranbir is a better actor than I am. He’s a damn good actor. I honestly never like my work. I don’t like to watch myself onscreen and I never do,” says Imran, who doesn’t mind being compared to others.
“The comparisons will continue. People still compare Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman even after 20-25 years of their work. So we can’t help it,” he says.
The actor is busy with many projects and hasn’t been able to take wife Avantika for a honeymoon. “Hopefully, I’ll get some time in July,” he says.
Imran Khan says Ranbir Kapoor is a better actor than him. His upcoming movie Delhi Belly has stirred up quite some controversies — from the hidden expletive in the song Bhaag DK Bose to his first-time steamy scene in the movie.
Ask about the same and he says, “Really? Is it vulgar? It’s making assumptions a little early. I’d request you to first listen to the song carefully with the picturisation and then you’ll understand it. It’s been referred to a person whose name is DK Bose.”
But what about his steamy scenes in the movie? Won’t wifey mind his proximity with another girl on celluloid?
“Delhi Belly was shot long time before my marriage and it is only coincidental that it is coming out now. And as an actor, I’ve never had problems in my personal or professional life because of either, so there’s no problem like that,” he says.
Not many know that the movie makers deliberately applied for an A-certificate for the movie.
“We applied for an A-certificate ourselves. It’s a film for an adult, mature audience. We have to be honest to the film that we are making and it’s a film for an adult, mature audience. We have always been upfront about our intention behind the film. People under 18 should not watch the film,” he says.
So was using expletives difficult for the movie? “No. No. It wasn’t difficult at all. I’m not that doodh ka dhula that I won’t even know slangs,” he says.
Imran is currently shooting with actors Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Short Term Shaadi respectively and can’t stop raving about both his co-stars.
“Kareena is someone I’ve admired thoroughly. She is a fantastic actress. She is my personal favourite. I just forget my dialogues in front of her probably because I’m her fan,” he says.
As for Kat, he says, “I haven’t seen anyone more focused than her. I respect her professional attitude. While Katrina is a very sweet person. Initially she is very shy and reserved but then she becomes a friend,” he says.
The actor is also turning designer and will launch his line of jeans. “By the year end or early next year, I’ll launch a line of jeans co-created by me,” says the actor.
“You Can Change a Homeless Dog’s Life. Please Adopt”
Bollywood actor Imran Khan, who is getting rave reviews for the trailer of his forthcoming movie ‘Delhi Belly’, has urged people to follow his lead and adopt dogs instead of buying them through a new ad for animal welfare organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The ad features the 28-year-old with his adopted dog, who passed away recently. The message on the ad reads: “Tony Changed My Life. You Can Change a Homeless Dog’s Life. Please Adopt.” The shot was captured by ace photographer Avinash Gowariker.
“The fact is that there are dogs and cats and all kinds of animals roaming around the streets. Very often people buy dogs, buy cats – they see them as toys or as fashion accessories. They get bored of them and they … throw them out of the house. That’s a very horrible thing to do,” said Imran in an exclusive video for PETA.
Imran, who made his debut with ‘Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na’ in 2008, adopted his dog Tony after his friend found him wandering in the streets. Imran filed a complaint with the police and learned that the person Tony had been living with had thrown him out of the house.
“Ultimately it boils down to how much you care. I care a lot about animals. If I see an injured animal, sick animal and essentially any animal I feel I could help in some way, I do that,” added the actor, who hopes to open his own animal shelter some day.
According to PETA, around 25 million homeless dogs struggle to survive on the streets in India.
Leave a Reply