Imran Khan Reveals Why He Dropped From Films Like Chennai Express, Delhi-6

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.