If you are a star, you are often forgiven for thinking that the universe revolves around you. But Bollywood actor Imran Khan doesn't belong to that breed. As we get talking about his latest romantic comedy, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, the 29-year-old hottie has no qualms saying the film wouldn't have gotten off the ground had Kareena Kapoor — B-town's most bankable star — not decided to be a part of it.
"This film has been written with her in mind," said Khan.
But getting the green light from Kapoor wasn't easy, he added.
"When I was told Kareena wouldn't be available since she was shooting for RA.One and Bodyguard, Shakun [Batra, director] had asked me about my second choice. But for me there was no second choice. So I said, ‘If we have to wait for her for six months, then we just wait,'" said Khan.
Bollywood is notorious for heroes calling the shots. This gender reversal is a first.
"We had a certain picture in our mind and we wanted to make it happen," Khan added.
In promos for the film, Khan and Kapoor are shown living it up in sin city Las Vegas where they accidentally meet and wake up one day in a haze to find out they have gotten married. Sounds familiar? Think Rachel and Ross in the smash TV hit show Friends or the Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz film What Happens in Vegas.
"Okay, let's face it — it's a very popular theme. But getting drunk and then getting married is something that happens only in the first few scenes. It's a popular take-off place, but later the spotlight is on the couple and how they grow to like each other and how they bond. Apart from that initial similarity, there are no other similarities. There is no jackpot involved like in What Happens in Vegas," said Khan.
The actor plays Rahul, a repressed, uptight guy who is prone to slotting his life into boxes. Enter Riana Braganza (Kapoor), who teaches him a thing or two about having fun.
"It's about a guy who has parents who have told him all his life how to live and whom to meet. Then he meets this girl who's like a breath of fresh air. She changes and revolutionises his life."
Witty and fun
The plot — sans the "drunk when married" scenario — may sound a tad hackneyed, but Khan believes it will make it the perfect Valentine's Day flick.
"It's witty, fun and many guys and girls will identify with us and the situations," said Khan.
Asked if his return to lover-boy roles is a digression of sorts, especially since he was lauded for his brave adult comedy Delhi Belly last year, Khan says it's all about mixing it up.
"I think a lot of these lover-boy roles that I get has to do with my age and my looks. I am young — I am 28, but I look 25. So after this one, my next film is with Vishal Bharadwaj — it's a rustic tale set in a village. And I think it takes a certain kind of a vision and image in a director to cast you differently."
Not that he is complaining about being the go-to guy for adorable-but-hapless lover-boy roles.
"I have the rest of my life to play mature, old roles. Right now I am enjoying being a part of films like Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu."
