Aamir Khan Reveals Why Imran Khan Quit Acting, Says He Was Never Comfortable with ‘Herogiri’

Veteran actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan recently opened up about his nephew Imran Khan’s decision to step away from the film industry nearly a decade ago. In a candid conversation with Screen, Aamir offered insight into Imran's personality, creative instincts, and what led him to take a long hiatus from acting.

Imran Khan, who made his lead acting debut with the 2008 romantic hit Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, had quickly become a heartthrob with his charming screen presence and boy-next-door appeal. However, despite a promising start and roles in critically and commercially appreciated films like Delhi Belly and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, he eventually chose to distance himself from the mainstream Bollywood circuit.

Aamir explained that his nephew found it hard to relate to the conventional expectations of stardom. “Yes, Imran has a certain creative instinct. He finds it difficult to fit into the mainstream construct we have. That’s not his natural space. Which is why he’d do really well in a film like Jaane Tu and Delhi Belly (2011). He’s in his element there. But the moment you put him into a regular Hindi film, he won’t fit. He’s not comfortable with herogiri. He wants to play a real person. Everybody was offering him mainstream films because he’s good-looking. But he wants to be an actor, and not a star,” Aamir said.

Imran's disinterest in conventional "hero" roles seems to have played a significant part in his decision to step back. Though he appeared in a string of commercially-oriented projects such as I Hate Luv Storys, Break Ke Baad, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, and Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, he was never entirely at ease within the formulaic framework of typical Bollywood films.

Imran, who first appeared on screen as the younger version of Aamir’s character in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, was last seen in the 2015 film Katti Batti opposite Kangana Ranaut. Since then, he has been on a self-imposed sabbatical, keeping a low profile while remaining involved in creative pursuits behind the scenes.

While he has remained away from the spotlight, there have been recent indications that Imran may be ready to return to acting. Reports suggest he is carefully reviewing potential projects to find the right script that aligns with his artistic sensibilities. He even confirmed that a spy series in collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar was in development, but the project—helmed by filmmaker Abbas Tyrewala—was eventually shelved.

As fans eagerly await his possible comeback, Imran Khan’s journey continues to stand as a reminder of the fine line between stardom and artistry in the film industry—where not every actor aspires to be a "hero," but many strive to be storytellers in their own right.