Junaid Khan’s acting journey has been marked by his bold and diverse choices, starting with his stage performances. He showcased his versatility in productions like Shikhandi, where he portrayed multiple roles and Strictly Unconventional, where he earned praise for his compelling portrayal of a transwoman. His theatrical repertoire also includes Runaway Brides and Medea, directed by his sister Ira Khan. Transitioning to films, he made a notable debut in the OTT release Maharaj. His debut role as social reformer Karsandas Mulji was an ambitious choice. But he enthralled the critics with his screen presence and acting chops. His second film, Loveyapa, a theatrical release, is a remake of the Tamil film Love Today (2022), which resonated with the audience due to its unconventional portrayal of love. He knows he isn’t your typical screen hero but has enough confidence in his capabilities to court success with a smile. He comes clean on his life and career choices in his own words:

Why Maharaj Stole My Heart
Loveyapa: Breaking Down the Barriers We Build in Love
How I Bonded with Khushi
Remakes: Do Hits Need To Be Remade?
Aamir Khan’s Journey: My Inspiration
How Dad’s Social Media Silence Shaped Me
Mom’s The Word
How the Stage Perfected My Craft
Lessons Learnt on the Set of PK
Love Is Timeless, Even in the Digital Age
Old School Romantic
Heartbreaks Diaries
Inspired By Industry Greats
My Quiet Nature Keeps Me Grounded
The Scripts I’m Chasing

Why Maharaj Stole My Heart

When Maharaj came my way, it was the first project that truly spoke to me. The role was serious and substantial and I was drawn to the story. Yash Raj Films is one of the best producers in the country. Also I’ve always liked the work of Sidharth Malhotra. I’m genre-agnostic. I didn’t necessarily want my first film to be a romantic one. I simply felt a connection to Maharaj and was excited to be a part of it.

Loveyapa: Breaking Down the Barriers We Build in Love

In today’s world, we often put up barriers to love. These aren’t always external forces like a villain. Sometimes, we’re our own obstacles. Loveyapa touches on how we build these barriers ourselves and how we can break them down to experience fulfilling relationships.

How I Bonded with Khushi

Khushi and I are both reserved people, so I guess that’s where we started bonding. We had a rehearsal process for about five-six weeks, rehearsing together every day. Over time, we connected because we both are shy. Khushi is a fantastic actor and always comes well-prepared. A lot of our scenes were shot over the phone, so we didn’t work together as much in person. But whenever I had a scene in Mira Road, she’d travel all the way to give me cues and help me out.

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Remakes: Do Hits Need To Be Remade?

I don’t have any issues with remakes as long as they’re done well. The film should have a reason to be retold. And the director should have a clear vision for it. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t want to remake any of my dad’s films. Those films are special as they are. I don’t think they need a remake.

Aamir Khan’s Journey: My Inspiration

Growing up, I’ve seen my father’s journey closely. His career had its ups and downs. While I’ve absorbed a lot subconsciously, I don’t consciously try to follow his path. He’s always encouraged me to carve out my own career and explore my own way. I do feel I’ve gained advantages from watching his career but ultimately, I believe we all have to find our own path. My relationship with my father is very easygoing. He’s someone I can talk to about anything and he’ll always give me his honest opinion. I think it’s more of a friendship than a traditional father-son dynamic. He’s approachable, and I value his guidance.

My dad has always maintained a low profile on social media. He doesn’t spend much time on WhatsApp or other platforms. That approach hasn’t really influence me directly. When I was in college, Facebook was the big thing. But the way social media worked back then is different from today. Instagram never appealed to me because I don’t naturally take a lot of photos, so I never felt the need to join. I’ve never really been into social media. It hasn’t had much of an impact on my life. I don’t find it something that’s necessary for me. I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with social media. But for me, it’s just never been a part of my routine. I think everyone has their own path in the industry. Yes, I come from a privileged background, being Aamir Khan’s son. That makes it a bit different for me. I don’t feel the same pressure to build an image on social media that other actors might. But I understand that for some, it’s necessary.

Mom’s The Word

I’m very close to my mother. I suppose I’m a little bit of a mama’s boy. She’s always been a huge influence in my life. I share a deep bond with her.

How the Stage Perfected My Craft

For me, acting is about practice, learning, and continuously growing. Theatre helped me immensely in this process, teaching me to feel and understand the technical aspects like lighting and stage presence. I’ve done stage work before. I believe any acting experience is beneficial for honing one’s craft.

Lessons Learnt on the Set of PK

I worked as an assistant director on PK. While it didn’t directly impact my approach to acting, it did give me a deeper understanding of filmmaking. I learnt how a set functions, how the nuts and bolts of a film come together. I think it’s important for an actor to understand the entire filmmaking process, as it can help you become more aware of your role in the broader context of the production.

See Also: Junaid Khan reacts to trolling over his dance steps in Loveyapa

Love Is Timeless, Even in the Digital Age

I think love is a very primal human emotion. It transcends generations, people and even time. No matter the era or culture, love feels the same for everyone around the world. In today’s age, while communication and methods have evolved due to smartphones and social media, the essence of love remains unchanged. I believe this feeling is universal. Loveyapa touches upon that timeless connection, resonating with audiences navigating relationships in this digital world.

Old School Romantic

I’m a bit old school when it comes to romance. For me, it’s about having a partner who trusts you, communicates openly and grows together with you over time. It’s about building that strong foundation. I don’t have a commitment phobia. I believe in the importance of commitment. Relationships require that dedication and trust. I think it’s a crucial part of forming lasting connections. The key to maintaining any relationship is trust and communication. Without those, it’s hard to build anything meaningful.

Heartbreaks Diaries

Love is love – it’s something we all feel at some point in our lives. It’s a universal emotion that transcends time and space, and everyone experiences it in their own way, including heartbreak. I remember my first heartbreak vividly. I was about 16 and it hit me hard. I started writing poetry to express my feelings. I filled many diaries with my thoughts, although looking back, they weren’t very good poems. But that first heartbreak was special in a way. It was an important part of my growing up.

Inspired By Industry Greats

Growing up, I was surrounded by so many incredible actors, both in my family and the industry. People like Irrfan Khan, my dad, Kareena Kapoor and many more inspired me. I’ve always admired their work and they’ve had a huge influence on me. One of my favorite films is Rang De Basanti. It’s a film that truly spoke to me when I was around 13 or 14. At that age, I was starting to understand the world, and Rang De Basanti had a deep impact on me. I think the timing of when you see a film plays a big part in how it resonates with you.

My Quiet Nature Keeps Me Grounded

I’d describe myself as shy, reserved and introverted. I’m not someone who seeks the spotlight. I’m more comfortable in smaller, more personal settings. I enjoy reading books, playing chess and sometimes playing football. These activities give me a sense of balance outside of my acting career. I think it’s a combination of my upbringing and my parents’ values that keep me grounded. They’ve always taught me to stay humble and I’m very grateful for that. In a city like Mumbai, practicality is key. Sometimes an autorickshaw is just more efficient than a car, especially with all the traffic and construction going on.

The Scripts I’m Chasing

I’m open to all kinds of films, as long as the story resonates with me. I’ve just finished shooting a film with Sai Pallavi, produced by my father, which will be my next release. I’m exploring different kinds of roles and scripts.

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