Imran Khan recalls script plagiarism ordeal; felt powerless as a 22-year-old; how fate led him to ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’

Imran Khan, who went on to win hearts with his debut in Jaane 'Tu Ya Jaane Na' (2008), has now opened up about a painful experience that shook him years before his big break.


Speaking to Planet Bollywood, the actor recalled how in 2005, when he was just 22, his script was plagiarized. “The incident about me taking a script to a channel and it getting stolen happened in early 2005. In the aftermath of that, I found I was completely powerless and could not catch hold of the guys who did this to me,” he said.


The actor revealed that despite the meeting being set up through contacts, he was treated like an outsider. “These people had no context of my family relationships or background. To them, I was just a kid off the street. That is why they felt comfortable enough to lift my script. I was helpless and could not hold them accountable. I was very upset about it,” Imran shared.

Imran Khan's struggle for identity

Imran further reflected that if he had already made a name for himself, the incident might not have happened. “If I had some name or recognition of my own, they might not have done this. To what extent that is true is a debatable point. I was 22 at that point,” he admitted. The betrayal, however, didn’t deter him from chasing his dream. He spent months roaming the city, trying to find work as an assistant director.

Turn of fate with Abbas Tyrewala

Destiny, however, had other plans for him. One connection led him to Abbas Tyrewala, who was looking for fresh faces for a film. Imran remembered, “One guy was working in the production department. He reached out to me and said that Abbas Tyrewala is making a film, and they are looking for new faces. They want you to come and audition for a part.”


Imran, already familiar with Tyrewala’s work, decided to meet him. “I was aware of Abbas as I had seen his name on the credits of a few films I had liked… we hit it off well in the very first meeting. I screen-tested for the part. Nandini Shrikent was the casting director of the film.”


Meanwhile, Imran Khan's was last seen in 'Katti Batti' which was released in 2015.