Imran Khan photographed at an event in Mumbai.
Hits and flops are a part of any actor's career but Imran Khan feels people have been too harsh on him for his failed outings while overlooking his successes.
The 32-year-old actor made a successful Bollywood debut with 2007 film
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na but after that it has been a mixed run for him at the box office.
I Hate Luv Storys, Delhi Belly and
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan did well, but films like
Luck, Kidnap, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Break Ke Baad and
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola were not so lucky.
Before Imran took a two-year sabbatical to take care of his then pregnant wife, his two ventures
Gori Tere Pyar Mei and
Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara! tanked at the box office.
The actor said he finds it weird that the hits he has delivered with first time directors are conveniently forgotten but the blame of the flops comes to him.
"I have never felt I quite got my due. I have often felt that in my career I have done good films, hit movies but the credit somehow goes to the director and people say 'he made him act' or to the promotions. But when a film flops the responsibility is mine and somehow all the flops that I had, have been with big directors so I feel, 'You are such established directors and all the blame is on me!' When I have given hits with first time directors then the credit goes to the producers. This has been a trend throughout my career. There is a strange perception about me," Imran told PTI. (Also Read:
Very Ashamed of Certain Films Which I've Done, Says Imran)
However, Imran believes things are changing with his latest outing
Katti Batti.
The actor said he finally feels accepted by the audience, thanks to the "positive" response he has got from the viewers for his performance in the romantic-comedy, which once again has garnered mix reviews.
Katti Batti, co-starring Kangana Ranaut, opened last week and though the movie got divided opinions, Imran is unperturbed.
"We knew about the divided opinion while going in the movie. I was ready for polarised reactions. But
Katti Batti is very important for me. I wanted audience and the industry to see that I am good. Suddenly for me to hear praise about my work is huge. For people to say that we didn't like the film but Imran's work is good, that is huge for me. This is better than anything that I have got in my career." (Also Read:
Hrithik Roshan's Message Leaves Imran Khan Speechless. Here's Why)
The actor said he was "over confident" about
Katti Batti despite being away from the screen.
"I was not under confident about the return with
Katti Batti. I was over confident as I knew what we were doing. I have realised whenever I have felt wrong about a film, it has flopped. I would not share my opinion with my directors thinking they are senior and have better knowledge but with time I realised that I should follow my guts," he said. (Also Read:
Katti Batti's Imran Khan on His Kind of Cinema)
Imran also said that his 13-year-old relationship Avantika Malik helped him understand the ups and downs between characters in
Katti Batti.
"I understood Maddy. Having gone through those ups and downs in my real relationship I knew the character and I knew I could bring a lot to him. There was so much I could relate to. Audiences understand when you are being honest, that's why my character connected with them," he said.
Imran blames his image of an unsuccessful actor to his own reluctance in riding the self-promotional bandwagon: "I don't play the PR game. I do miss the comfort of a good PR where only good things are written about you and not the bad things. I find myself in a position where I am defending a seven-year-old flop. People say your
Kidnap tanked. This makes me feel, 'It is so old. Please move on'." (Also Read:
Why Imran Khan Didn't Like Katti Batti Script At First)
"But I realise I have my inhibitions about this. I am a shy person. I can't hang out with people in industry or make friends. I know you have to be friendly with the media. Actors call editors when something bad is written about them but I can't do this," he added.
Of Kangana's current formidable standing in the industry affecting their working relationship or forced any changes in the script, Imran said, "When we started working Kangana had given two flops
Revolver Rani and
Ungli after a hit
Queen. While I was sitting on hits like
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and
Delhi Belly but that did not change any dynamics so why would her success bring any change."
Many suggested that
Katti Batti is Imran's relaunch vehicle, especially with Kangana's screen time being less than his in the movie.
Imran, however, denied the perception: "We never really thought in that way. We were just making a film that we all liked. It was not meant to re-launch me. Strangely, people think I never had a success after
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. My other successes are easily forgotten."