Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Imran Khan: The Rise & Fall - An Interesting Journey Like No Other

The actor was last seen in Nikhil Advani's 2015 romantic drama, 'Katti Batti'. 

"Life was better when Imran Khan used to do romantic comedies" - we see posts like this almost every other day on social media. And it's quite right, you know, because that era (the late 2000s and early 2010s) had its own magic. For instance, 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' totally changed our perspective of what it means to be a hero. Imran's character, Jai, wasn't about flexing machismo - he was a boy-next-door 'phattu' who still managed to win the girl. He made us realize that heroism isn't always about perfection - it can be about being the ordinary, and more importantly, unapologetically yourself. And he showed us that romance isn't about spreading your arms wide or promising about "chand tara tod ke le aana", it can be as simple as making your beloved feel special with little gestures.  

Well, no wonder Imran brought a breath of fresh air to Hindi cinema. He became a genre in himself, with all his films hitting the right chord in our hearts and feeling like a tight hug from childhood friends. That's why - even though the actor has been away from showbiz for a decade now - we root for him. He may not have been the best actor of his generation, but come on, art isn't about being the best. It's about building a personal connection with the audience, which, needless to say, Imran is a master at.

 

(Credit: Brut India) 

Today, as we celebrate the actor's 42nd birthday, let's have a look at his journey, and discuss his rise and fall. 

The Rise & Rise of Imran Khan 

Imran Khan made his debut as a lead actor in 2008 ('Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na'). Although he came into the scene as "Aamir Khan's nephew", it didn't take him long to break free from his uncle's shadow and craft a niche of his own. The film became a hit, and his character - a charming, soft-spoken, peace-loving young man - struck a chord with millennials. Songs like "Aditi", "Pappu Can't Dance", and "Kahin To" became remarkably popular. 

The actor emerged as a star overnight. And it was rise and rise for him thereafter. While many of his contemporaries were playing larger-than-life characters, he chose grounded and relatable roles in which the audiences would find a bit of themselves. He reflected everything about the youth, from aspirations to conflicts to hopelessness and more. Hence, most of his subsequent releases (such as 'I Hate Luv Storys', 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan', and 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu') succeeded at the box office. Thanks to his natural charisma, he became known as the "Ryan Gosling of Bollywood".

 

(Credit: vogueindia) 

And meanwhile, he also did experiments with films like 'Luck' and 'Delhi Belly'. While these weren't as successful (commercially) as his rom-coms, his efforts were lauded by one and all. 

(Credit: Indian Film Festival UK) 

The Fall of Imran Khan - From Stardom To Departure

Unfortunately, after a rapid rise in the industry, Imran's magic began to falter post-2013. In that year, he appeared in three films - 'Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola', 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara!', and 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein' - none was able to make a mark critically or commercially. In 2015, he acted in Nikhil Advani's romantic drama 'Katti Batti', opposite Kangana Ranaut, which was another box-office failure. And it also marked his last screen appearance. 

Now, if we try to dissect the reasons behind Imran's fall, we will find many. First and foremost, Imran's charm (which was once his USP) began to feel monotonous after a certain point. While his contemporaries like Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh were experimenting with a variety of genres and roles, he was sticking to the rom-coms and the same kind of characters (soft, privileged, and emotionally troubled). At the same time, critics began pointing out his lack of range as an actor. 

Moreover, if you remember, it was a time (2013-2018) when Bollywood was shifting towards small-town stories, with the rise of actors like Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao. Imran's persona seemed a misfit here, and quite unfortunately, he failed to adapt to the changes. As a result, the excitement surrounding him gradually faded away by the mid-2010s. 

 

(Credit: vogueindia) 

However, it's also worth noting that the actor himself felt out of touch with the industry at that time. The unprecedented stardom and constant media scrutiny began to weigh heavily on him, wreaking havoc on his mental health. So, he decided to stay away after 'Katti Batti'. In 2018, he made his directorial debut with the documentary short film 'Mission Mars: Keep Walking India'. 

There's a common saying that everything on Earth has its own time and own season. This holds for Imran Khan. But that obviously doesn't mean that his time won't come back again. The world is eagerly awaiting his return to the screen – and when he finally does sooner or later, I'm sure it will be magic once again. 

Laut aao, Imran. Can't Wait To See You On The Screen!