Mumbai: Actor Imran Khan, who returned to movies after nearly a decade with a cameo in ‘Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos’, believes that Bollywood’s biggest superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan must evolve with time and step aside from hero’s roles.
Imran opined that young viewers may not connect with a 70-year-old playing the lead in movies, hence the Khans must make way for the younger generation.
“For over thirty years, audiences have worshipped the Khans. But you cannot be playing the lead after a certain age,” Imran was quoted as saying by SHOWSHA.
“As a leading man, actors eventually age out. There are certain years where you can play the hero, and then there comes an age when you can’t. All three Khans are well into their 60s now. They’ve had 30 years of stardom — the kind that’s hard to parallel. It’s an inevitable part of any actor’s journey that the roles you play evolve with age,” Imran explained.
“There’s an audience that grows with you, and then there’s a younger generation that connects with people closer to their age and experience. When we watch films, we’re trying to see ourselves in those stories,” he explained, adding that audience connection is generational.
“The younger generation may not want to watch the story of a 70-year-old man,” the actor said.
Imran’s comments come amid mixed box-office reactions for the Khans in recent years.
Shah Rukh made a strong comeback with ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’ in 2023, but ‘Dunki’ wasn’t that successful.
Aamir’s ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ underperformed, whereas ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ earned appreciation.
Salman has seen inconsistent results, with ‘Tiger 3’ being successful and ‘Sikander’ turning out to be a dud.
On the work front, Imran is preparing to return to big screen as the lead hero with ‘Adhure Hum Adhure Tum,’ a dysfunctional romantic comedy helmed by Danish Aslam. The film also features Bhumi Pednekar and Gurfateh Pirzada.
