
Aamir Khan reveals why nephew Imran Khan didn't fit in: 'Everyone offered him mainstream films because he looked good'
Aamir Khan has revealed that his nephew, former actor Imran Khan once shared with him on why he quit acting 10 years ago. Speaking with Indian Express, Aamir said that Imran "finds it difficult to fit into the mainstream construct". He added that while Imran performs well in films such as Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly, he "won't fit" in regular Hindi movies. (Also Read | Aamir Khan's Raja Hindustani is 'very uncomfortable to watch', says Imran Khan)
Aamir said that Imran wants to be an actor and isn't "comfortable with herogiri". Talking about his nephew, Aamir said, "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."
Imran made his onscreen debut when he played the childhood version of Aamir's character in his iconic films, such as Mansoor Khan's romantic film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. In 2008, Imran made his debut as a lead actor in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na alongside Genelia D'Souza.
He has also starred in several other films such as Kidnap, Luck, I Hate Luv Storys, Break Ke Baad, Delhi Belly, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. Imran was last seen in Katti Batti with Kangana Ranaut in 2015. He has been on a break from films since then.
Imran is considering making an acting comeback and is going through projects to find the right one. Imran recently revealed that a spy series with Disney+ Hotstar was in the works, but it got canned. Filmmaker Abbas Tyrewala was making the series, but the project was dropped.
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Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Old video of Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai dancing on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge song resurfaces. Watch
The song 'Tujhe Dekha Toh' from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is as iconic as the film itself. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead roles, the film and its music defined an entire generation's idea of love and romance. However, in a video that has resurfaced online, the fans get a glimpse of what the film would have looked like in a parallel universe, as actors Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan can be seen dancing together on the track. Their chemistry in the video has left viewers wondering—what if? While Aishwarya is dressed in an elegant pink lehenga, Aamir can be seen wearing a leather jacket similar to the iconic one that Shah Rukh Khan wore in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Both actors seem to be giving it their all at what looks like an award function, and Aamir even gets on his knees in the middle of the choreography. Sung by Kumar Sanu and the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, everything from the song's lyrics to visuals became etched in people's minds and still remains an important track from the careers of everyone involved in it. ALSO READ | Aamir Khan defends son Junaid Khan's Maharaj and Loveyapa performances, says he refuses his help: 'His career matters to me more than mine' There have been other instances of 'what-if?' situations with Aamir and Aishwarya, as director Dharmesh Darshan revealed in an interview that he wanted to cast Aishwarya opposite Aamir on several occasions. Darshan told Bollywood Hungama that Aishwarya was his first choice for both Mela and the role of Memsaab in Raja Hindustani (1999), but he was worried if she would be able to give her full attention to the films. He said, 'She was also my first choice for the role of Memsaab in Raja Hindustani (1996). My heart was on her. But she urgently had to go for Miss World. I didn't want to take any chances, as I wanted an actress who could devote her full time to the film and Bollywood. It was her sheer grace that she didn't hold it in her heart.' The duo could have also worked together in the film Josh (2000), as director Mansoor Khan wanted to cast Aamir Khan as the romantic interest of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, but things didn't go according to plan. In an interview, Mansoor said, 'I was intending to cast Aamir as the romantic lead opposite Aishwarya. But when I narrated the script to Aamir, he thought he was playing Max. Then I went to Shah Rukh; he was really excited about Max. I narrated it to him; he suggested a lot of things for Max's character.' Mansoor admitted that casting both Aamir and Shah Rukh in the same film didn't work out, and he ultimately had to drop the plan.


NDTV
22 minutes ago
- NDTV
Is Adventure Tourism In India Worth Your Money? The Red Flags And Safety Risks
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara inspired growth in India's adventure tourism market since 2011. The market was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 46.731 billion by 2030. Fatal incidents have risen due to unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and poor safety measures in India. In 2011, when director Zoya Akhtar released a movie about three male friends, intertwined in their own lives and taking a three-week-long trip, it not only became a commercial hit but also inspired many Indians to think differently about travel. You see, the movie titled (if you haven't guessed it yet), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, revolves around Kabir, Imran and Arjun, and their once-in-a-lifetime vacation in Spain before Kabir's wedding. The trip was essentially meant to help them combat their deepest fears through three adventure sports, each chosen by one of them. The trio explores Spain in a full-on desi way and eventually faces their fears through scuba diving, skydiving and running of the bulls. After facing each challenge, they experience a sense of gratification that makes many of us want to try at least one of the ourselves. Often, Bollywood and social media have glamorised adventure sports and the adrenaline rush that comes with them, turning it into something everyone wanted to chase post the film's release. Today, the Indian adventure tourism market is experiencing significant growth, fuelled by a young, thrill-seeking demographic and rising disposable incomes, all wanting to live life like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (quite literally). The market was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 46.731 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 19.6% over the next five years. However, unlike Kabir, Imran and Arjun—who underwent proper training before each sport—India's growing demand is being met without the same level of infrastructure and safety precautions. The Rise In Fatal Incidents Ft Adventure Sports This boom, however, has been a double-edged sword. As more Indians seek thrill-filled holidays, the infrastructure, regulatory mechanisms and safety checks haven't always kept up. Not everyone goes the ZNMD route of professional preparation and certified guides (Remember Laila from ZMND?). Alok K Singh, Chairman and CEO of Travomint, a travel agency, points out, 'There's been a clear rise in incidents — due to unregistered operators, lack of training, and failure to meet safety standards.' He further lists some incidents: Puri Beach, Odisha - The most recent case, occurred in May 2025, a boat capsize incident happened at the Puri Beach involving Snehasish Ganguly, elder brother of Indian Cricket Team captain Sourav Ganguly, and his spouse, Arpita. Following this incident, the Puri district administration officially suspended all water sports activities in the region, pointing out the critical need for stronger safety measures. While many licensed vendors agree to worldwide norms, some continue to struggle with lack of regulations. Manali: Tadi Mahesh Reddy, a 32-year-old, at Manali was attempting to take off (during paragliding) at Raison when a sudden gust of wind caused his glider to descend instead of ascend, leading to his death. Goa - In January 2025, Shivani Dable, a 27-year-old girl from Pune lost her life during a paragliding activity in Keri Village, North Goa. Her glider crashed into a ravine soon after taking off from a cliff, and even the instructor did not survive. This incident raised concerns over safety practices, unlicensed operators and safety checks in adventure sports. Bir Biling, Himachal Pradesh - A tragic incident happened during paragliding in 2023, when a tourist's safety harness malfunctioned mid-air, raising concerns about unlicensed operators and outdated equipment. After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the flight was operated by an unregistered operator. This tragedy led to widespread public outcry and renewed regulations along with better standards for paragliding operators. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand - Several cases of rafting accidents were reported due to overloading and untrained guides during river rafting. One such case occured in 2017, when a Delhi tourist tragically died after a raft capsized near Garud Chatti bridge. After this incident, local authorities launched safety audits, however, implementation is still not consistent. Common themes? Unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and inadequate equipment. Today, Adventure sports in India vary in price depending on the location and season. Scuba diving costs between Rs 1,500 and Rs 8,000 per dive, with Andaman and Lakshadweep on the higher end. River rafting in places like Rishikesh can range from Rs 499 to Rs 2,999 per person, depending on the stretch covered. Paragliding prices start at Rs 1,800 and can go up to Rs 5,500 in top spots like Bir Billing. But are they safe? Shreya Chawla* (name changed as per request), a 23-year-old professional from Noida, who loves adventure sports shares, 'They make you sign a waiver. If something happens to you, it's your fault. But the training is almost non-existent. During paragliding in Bir, I was just asked to run at a certain speed. When I went scuba diving in Goa, they dropped me into the water without any special preparation.' Louis D'Souza, Managing Partner at Tamarind Global, a focused destination and event management company, tells NDTV that adventure tourism isn't inherently dangerous, but lack of regulation makes it so. 'We always advise travellers to check if the operator is certified, whether there's insurance, and how trained the guides are,' he adds. Where The Law Stands In 2023, India's Ministry of Tourism laid out formal 'safety guidelines' for adventure tourism. These included age limits, mandatory insurance for operators, and penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 for safety breaches. However, enforcement remains inconsistent across states. Mind you, these are just guidelines and not laws. Now, even though states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have issued more stringent region-specific guidelines, insiders say, many operators continue to flout the rules — either due to lack of awareness or because enforcement agencies lack manpower. Like Shreya's case, any first-timers trust operators blindly, not knowing what questions to ask or red flags to spot. How Industry Experts Are Tackling The Crisis Trishal Rao, Chief Sales Officer at SKIL, a travel management company, believes stronger checks are non-negotiable. 'We work only with ISO-certified or Adventure Tour Operators Association of India-affiliated operators. Our checks include reviewing guest feedback, auditing sites like TripAdvisor, and even demanding references for group trips,' he says. Rao adds that clients sign waivers, but it doesn't absolve the vendors of accountability. 'We ensure insurance is in place, and we expect partners to conduct drills, have evacuation plans and keep ambulances accessible. You can't compromise on safety,' he adds. D'Souza agrees and adds, 'Yes, there are more incidents — but mostly from unregulated players. We advise travellers to ask: Does the operator have certification? Is there insurance? Are the guides trained? Our role is to ensure transparency and accountability.' Even equipment matters, says D'Souza. 'We personally review activities before adding them to itineraries. Adventure stalls are everywhere now — not all are reliable,' according to him. But on ground level things are different. Not everyone is authorised, or trained enough. Trekking is one such activity that remains highly unregulated. Often people are misguided. Treks are made to sound 'easy' to appeal to the participants, but the reality might be different. This lack of information is consistent in the other adventure sports as well. Vaibhav Kala, founder of Aquaterra Adventures and senior VP of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), says, 'Adventure tourism is gaining popularity due to the physical and mental thrill. But gear, guides and guidelines are critical. We need stricter enforcement and national registration for operators.' Kala is also part of a core team pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. 'We want a national register for operators and stricter controls. Currently, anyone with a few rafts or parachutes can open shop. That's dangerous,' says Kala. Who's At Fault, Really? While most operators make clients sign disclaimers, legally and ethically, both sides hold responsibility. Experts say that while tourists must be cautious, it's primarily the operators' duty to uphold safety norms. But many small vendors still operate in the grey zone. Rakesh, the owner of a similar adventure sports establishment in Manali, has been in this business for almost 10 years. In Himachal Pradesh, he says, many individuals, especially the inexperienced ones, are able to enter the adventure sports market as obtaining a licence is "pretty easy". According to Rakesh, officials conduct quality checks on equipment used in these activities only twice a year. Kala further notes that unregistered operators shouldn't be allowed to run at all. 'The National Tourism Board for Adventure Tourism is pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. That will be the game-changer,' he says. The debate on disclaimers and liability is far from settled. While many operators use waivers to shift responsibility, legal experts say they are not foolproof. How Can You Stay Safe? India's potential to lead in adventure tourism is undeniable. The geography, biodiversity and growing youth population make it a natural fit. But the foundation has to be solid. Till then, if you want to stay safe follow Kala's advice, 'We need three pillars — enforcement, education and ecosystem. Only then will we stop reading about unnecessary tragedies.' Before committing to an adventure, individuals should ask these key questions, says Kala - Have they researched the outfitter's (elaborate) credentials? Is the company registered with relevant tourism authorities or industry associations? Are the guides certified, trained in first aid and CPR, and experienced? What is the emergency exit plan? Rao adds that educating tourists needs to be a priority. 'At the point of sale, operators should hand out safety checklists. Digital platforms could include reviews specific to safety. Insurance should be offered as standard, not optional.' Remember, adventure tourism, by its nature, involves risk, but that risk can and must be managed. For India to become a world-class destination, safety should not be an afterthought. Until then, maybe watch Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara again — but think twice before trying to recreate the thrills without asking the right questions first.


India Today
24 minutes ago
- India Today
Amitabh Bachchan's folded-hands reply to X user's jibe at his age and longevity
Actor Amitabh Bachchan on Tuesday responded to a social media user commenting on his age and sleep schedule. When Big B shared how 'gadgets break.. longevity lasts !!!', an X user commented in Hindi, "Try to sleep on time, or even a long life won't last (sic)." This irked the megastar, who responded with folded hands, and wrote, "Thank you for talking about my death. God's kindness (folded hands emoji)."advertisementBachchan's initial post mentioning longevity was made at around 12:33 am. He later made more posts, sharing life mantras about the best way to live your life. The 82-year-old is an active social media user. He, in fact, likes to stay organised on X, by putting a number on his posts. The same goes for his posts on his blog. Meanwhile, Bachchan is looking forward to amaze his fans once again with his performance as Ashwatthama in Nag Ashiwn's 'Kalki 2'. The Prabhas starrer is getting ready for its second part, and Bachchan plays an iconic role, which especially impressed the audience last megastar of Bollywood is also getting ready to host the next season of his qui-based game show - 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. - suggest a headline, Watch IN THIS STORY#Amitabh Bachchan