'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara' (OUATIMD), the criminal gangster saga, was released on August 15. Directed by Milan Luthria and produced by Ekta and Shobha Kapoor, the sequel to the 2010 film 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai' starred Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha and ImranKhan in lead roles but it failed to garner much attention.
"The release was watched very badly, we released in 1,000 screens, obviously that was a problem. According to me the film wasn't bad, I was very happy with my work but unfortunately few things are not in your hands. As an actor you can only concentrate on your work and performance, beyond that things are not in your control," Imran said. According to Imran, a "hit or a flop does not affect the relationship" with people associated with the project.
On his equation with Ekta after the outcome of 'OUATIMD', Imran says, "At this point, I don't know. She has not called me since the release of the film. I didn't feel the need to (take the initiative)." Imran had expressed his displeasure the way 'OUATIMD' was promoted. The rift between him and producer Ekta widened so much that Imran opted out of Ekta's next 'Milan Talkies' being directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. "I opted out of 'Milan Talkies' because of personal reasons. I am very happy with my decision, it allows me to sleep peacefully at night," he said.
But some critics felt Imran was unfit for the role of a goon. However, the actor doesn't feel so and is quite okay with the opinion of other people. "I don't concern myself with the critical opinion at all. Personally, I felt that I got a very good response as an actor. At the box-office, obviously if you release with one quarter of the number of prints people will not see your film," Imran said.
"Our opening day collection for the number of screens we had was very good and for me it was an exposure to an audience which I didn't not have access to before. I have done more urban films. Here, for the first time I was doing a film and a role which was reaching out to a new audience and that audience has been opened up for me," he said.
With the bitter experience of marketing of 'OUATIMD', Imran will be careful with the way his upcoming projects are promoted. "I am careful about whom I would work with. See, when I am working with Karan Johar, I know he is a very clean person. I know that I can put my trust in him blindly. Itgives me a feeling of security and that is something I am very particular about. I want to work with good people," he said. As an actor, Imran says he is greedy and wants every one to like his every performance.
He is looking forward to the release of Johar's home production 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein', where he is paired opposite Kareena Kapoor.
