Actor Imran Khan—who recently returned to the big screen with a cameo in the spy-comedy Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos—recounted the emotional highs and lows of his early career.
Despite a successful debut in 2008 with Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Naa, the actor revealed that several landmark roles slipped through his fingers due to industry dynamics and creative differences.
The Heartbreak: Delhi 6
Imran auditioned for the lead role of Roshan in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi 6 back in 2006–2007, before his debut film even released.
- The Connection: Born in the US, Imran felt a deep personal connection to the story of an NRI boy navigating the culture of Old Delhi.
- The Rejection: The makers were hesitant to bet on an “untested” and “unproven” actor for such a high-budget project.
- The Result: The role eventually went to Abhishek Bachchan. Imran admitted to being “devastated” at the time but noted that the film has aged beautifully.
The Mismatch: Chennai Express
Shortly after his debut, filmmaker Rohit Shetty approached Imran for the lead in the 2013 blockbuster Chennai Express.
- The Creative Rift: While Imran found the narration hilarious, both he and Shetty realized their creative visions weren’t in sync.
- The Admission: Imran voluntarily stepped back, feeling he wasn’t the right fit. “Shah Rukh Khan was a better choice; I don’t think I could top Shah Rukh,” he stated in the interview.
The “Drop”: Bhavesh Joshi Superhero
Imran was attached to Vikramaditya Motwane’s vigilante drama for an entire year.
- The Fallout: Following the box office failure of his 2013 film Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, Imran was dropped from the project.
- The Legacy: The role eventually went to Harshvardhan Kapoor. Despite the setback, Imran praised the film for being unique and “pushing boundaries.”
Imran’s 2026 Comeback
After a 10-year “hibernation,” the 43-year-old actor is prioritizing joy over stardom.
- Latest Release: He made his return on January 16, 2026, with a surprise cameo in Vir Das’s directorial debut, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos.
- Upcoming Project: Fans can look forward to his full-fledged comeback in the Netflix romantic drama Adhure Hum Adhure Tum, directed by Danish Aslam and co-starring Bhumi Pednekar.