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Khan Shine
Text by Eva Pavithran and Photographs by Avinash Gowariker
Published: Volume 16, Issue 8, August, 2008
Bollywood’s latest poster boy Imran Khan plays it cool

Acting didn’t quite figure in his scheme of things. “If Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na hadn’t happened, I would have gone ahead with my directorial plans,” says Imran Khan, who has completed a filmmaking course from New York. The latest chocolate boy on the block feels he doesn’t fit into the “conventional Indian hero mould”. “In Jaane Tu… my character Jai doesn’t own a Ferrari or have girls chasing him. Yet he’s interesting and engaging. This intrigued me. In many ways he’s like me.” Imran’s candour – he admits he’s not a great dancer – and confidence instantly reminds you of his superstar uncle Aamir Khan, who has been “a great support.” Happily recalling the positive response of a group of college students at a private screening, he is delighted “they could relate to it.” The fame success brings is just fluff, opines the newbie who enjoys the creative process of filmmaking more. Imran has completed filming for Sanjay Gadhvi’s Kidnap and will soon start shooting for Soham Shah’s Luck. There’s bad news for all those swooning over the actor: He’s taken! Imran has been going steady with Avantika Malik, his girlfriend of six years.

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