It's been a few months since tabloid! talked to Bollywood's latest young upstart, Imran Khan. But in the time that followed, he's become a bigger star than anyone could have imagined.
Three months ago, one-film wonder Imran Khan was in a reticent mode while promoting his debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (JTYJN).
Uncomfortable pauses, ambivalent answers about the romantic comedy and self-effacing responses when asked about his rival Harman Baweja pervaded the chat over the phone.
But a few days ago tabloid! caught Khan at his chatty best.
Gone were the coltish responses and in his place was an uninhibited young man who sounded more than happy to talk about his new-found fame.
In his second release, Kidnap, out this Thursday, he plays a menacing gun-toting kidnapper. The young actor, also known for being Aamir Khan's nephew, says he has become adept at handling the press. But the fate of the thriller and whether his fans would accept him in a villainous role was plaguing him every waking second.
"When JTYJN was released, I was very composed and was not so nervous. But with Kidnap releasing soon, I can barely think straight. The expectations are naturally sky high," says Khan, whose trump card is his boy-next-door looks. It's believed that Khan's debut vehicle - which didn't require him to be a larger-than-life superhero - was the key to his success. As the unassuming college graduate Jai Singh Rathore, Khan was refreshingly down-to-earth.
So what prompted him to take on a role that required him to flex his muscles and, in many ways, tread the beaten Bollywood track?
"In all honesty, this role was offered to me while I was shooting JTYJN. Although I was thrilled about taking on such a challenging role, I was unsure whether I would be able to pull it off. But director Sanjay Gadhvi was more confident and agreed to help me every step of the way," says Khan.
Director Gadhvi, who has delivered back-to-back hits including Dhoom and Dhoom 2, was not the only one to bolster the fledgling hero's confidence. Veteran Bollywood hero Sanjay Dutt, who plays the role of a tormented father whose daughter is kidnapped, helped him with the mother of all makeovers.
"He took one look at me and said I needed to do something about my body. And in my opinion, I could not have asked for a better fitness guide. He took me under his wing and even offered to train me in his gym. It was funny because when he could lift a 120-pound [54kg] dumbbell, I was having a tough time lifting a 60-pound [27kg] one," says Khan.
Apparently, the fact that he was Aamir Khan's nephew also helped him win brownie points with the notoriously shy Sanjay Dutt.
"He loves my mamu [uncle] and has tremendous respect for him. So in many ways, that was reflected in his attitude towards me … A classic case of reflected kindness," says Khan.
A series of joyrides
The success of his debut movie turned him into an overnight sensation. From his uncle showering him with lavish gifts like a swanky BMW, to the industry treating him with kid gloves, life has been a series of joyrides for this actor.
"The car was the best gift ever. At first I thought he [Aamir] was joking but then when he handed me the keys, I knew it was all happening. And yes, post JTYJN people have started taking me more seriously," says a jubiliant Khan.
Khan's sole gripe is that he was not in India to experience all the adulation and the fanfare.
"Immediately after the release of JTYJN, I had to leave for South Africa to shoot for my movie Luck. Since I was not in town, it's all yet to sink in.
"But the best part about being a star is that I get tables at restaurants without making any reservations. I love that feeling," says Khan, stopping short of clapping his hands in glee.
Surprisingly, the warm reception meted out to him by movie buffs and critics has not translated into challenging film offers. Far from being flooded by interesting roles, Khan has only two movies in his kitty.
"To be honest, Luck and caper comedy Delhi Belly [an Aamir production] are the only two movies in my hand. But I am not complaining, because I am equally choosy about the projects I accept."
Khan talks Kidnap
On his co-star Minissha Lamba: "Ever since I saw her work in her debut movie Yahaan, I have wanted to work with her. She is a fun girl and we had a blast during the making of the movie."
On Sanjay Dutt: "He is one of the most brilliant actors in Bollywood today. Watching him in action often made me forget my own lines."
On the homework for his role as kidnapper Kabir: "As far as I know, there have not been many Bollywood movies about ransoms and kidnappings, so I had no reference point. I played it by the ear and trusted my director to guide me through the process."
The toughest part about his role: "Acquiring the tough-mean-lean look. Jai Singh Rathore in JTYJN was an easier one to pull off!"
On being compared to his uncle Aamir Khan: "I feel flattered and will continue to take it as a compliment."
