Imran Khan may ‘Hate Luv Storys’, but is he the cure for Bollywood’s romantic drama slump?

Imran’s lighthearted comment sent the internet into a frenzy, with fans rallying to amass a million likes. But why Imran Khan? And why this fervour for his return now? After all, the Hindi film industry has witnessed actors come and go — Dino Morea, Fardeen Khan, Aftab Shivdasani, Vivek Oberoi, Zayed Khan, Neil Nitin Mukesh — all entrancing the audience with their ‘chocolate boy’ charm only to fade from the limelight.

However, the nostalgia surrounding these actors can’t hold a candle to that surrounding Imran, and the reason goes beyond his dashing looks; it’s the cinematic choices he made. “Your characters in movies are just so wholesome, a guy every girl wants,” a fan’s comment encapsulates the essence of his Bollywood career. Amid a few intense roles, such as in Kidnap, and the unforgettable Delhi Belly, Imran found his stride in romantic comedies following his acting debut as the sweet, charismatic boy-next-door Jai in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008). While some of his films enjoyed moderate success, like Break Ke Baad and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, others were declared box office successes, such as I Hate Luv Storys and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Whether box office hits or not, these films collectively cast Imran as the quintessential romantic star — a title many in Hindi cinema aspire to attain.

Playing the role of the perfect gentleman on screen, Imran’s image as a perfect family man off-screen further endeared him to admirers, drawing a significant female following. However, this changed later after reports of Imran and wife Avantika Malik’s separation started doing rounds.

A parallel with Ranbir Kapoor and a series of flop films

The inevitable comparison between Imran and Ranbir Kapoor was evident from the start of Imran’s career. Ranbir was a year ahead in the industry when Imran’s Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na hit theatres. The year 2011 marked a turning point for both actors. While Ranbir mesmerised fans with his portrayal of a heartbroken Rockstar, Imran stunned audiences with his role as a debt-ridden journalist in Delhi Belly. While both the films were massively successful, they took  their careers in distinct directions. Ranbir ascended to stardom with films like Barfi and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, whereas Imran’s career faced a series of setbacks with films that struggled at the box office.

In fact, Imran’s last hit film was Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, also released in 2011. Subsequently, all his films – including Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Milan Luthria’s Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara, Punit Malhotra’s Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, and Nikkhil Advani’s Katti Batti – were declared box office disappointments. Even Shakun Batra’s Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, though it performed moderately, couldn’t break the pattern of underwhelming box office returns. Despite collaborating with well-known actors and credible filmmakers, Imran struggled to find success.

Identifying the downfall

Imran’s career graph rings Ranbir’s observation on Koffee with Karan true. He had said, Imran seems like the guy “who could quit at his peak if he just wasn’t interested.” And Imran did quit, before reaching the pinnacle of his career. The actor realises this now and he stated the same in his recent Instagram post, acknowledging how he focused too much on negative reviews rather than embracing his fans’ appreciation. It’s worth noting that many actors, including prominent ones like Akshay Kumar, endured phases of consecutive flops – Akshay had 16 flops at one point in his career. However, it’s a rarity to witness actors, particularly those hailing from film families, exiting the industry altogether in response to setbacks.

However, the fault lies not only with Imran. In the past, social media lacked the power to shape careers; box office earnings stood as the sole gauge of audience sentiment. Critics wielded significant influence, often drowning niche actors in a loop of negative feedbacks and low box office collections. It wasn’t until August 1, nearly five years after his last Instagram post, that Imran comprehended the enduring impact of his filmography. A single comment on Zeenat Aman’s post sparked a chain reaction among his fans, revealing the profound influence he had with his limited films.

Dearth of true blue romantic films

Another compelling reason for Imran’s resurgence lies in the shifting landscape of Hindi cinema. An audience once nourished by escapist romantic fantasies now finds itself engulfed in nationalistic narratives, crime thrillers, spy thrillers, comedy thrillers and all kinds of other thrillers. Even the King of Romance must dabble in action thrillers — Jawan, Pathan — with only fleeting glimpses of romantic sequences.

In the midst of this evolving cinematic landscape, Imran Khan’s potential return is not merely a longing for the past, but his fans’ desire to revive the bygone era of lighthearted romantic stories. “Stupid hote hai ye love stories aur stupid hote hai woh log jo inhe banate hai,” Imran says before falling in love with Sonam Kapoor’s character in I Hate Luv Storys. The present day Imran will eat his words.