Imran Nazir Khan, renowned in television, OTT and film circles for his character Timmy – the celebrity cricketer in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai – is immensely popular for his masterly comic timing. The actor talks about his journey in the entertainment world and his ideal role.
1. How much are you enjoying working with the Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai team?
I’m truly grateful to be a part of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai and highly appreciate the response I’ve received for my character Timmy. I was already a huge admirer of the show, and Vibhuti has to be my favourite character. Never could I have imagined that one day I’d actually have the opportunity to be part of this remarkable programme and even perform alongside Aasif Sheikh Sir. It’s certainly one of the funniest and most enthralling shows on Indian television, so it’s like a stroke of luck for me to be included! Everyone working on set is very friendly and welcoming, plus we often enjoy ourselves during shooting with all our jokes. My family were so overjoyed when they saw me appearing in an episode; being fans, you can imagine their ecstatic reactions!
2. Aasif Ji has been a professional cricketer himself; did he share any tips and tricks with you while shooting for the episode?
I didn’t know how good he was at sports until I worked with him on the cricket sequence. His insight into the minute details of batting grips and stances when we shot together amazed me. He was instrumental in helping me nail the right positions for batting. The zeal he demonstrated for cricket scenes intrigued me, and he soon revealed that he started playing cricket in his early twenties in Delhi. I incorporated all his advice into my filming, and it paid off hugely. Learning from an experienced actor with great knowledge of the game was delightful. He is something special to me!
3. As an engineer, why did you choose acting as your career?
Ever since I was a child, it has been my dream to be an actor. Living in a small town in Kashmir as the son of a local businessperson with no prior ties to the entertainment industry, this seemed like an almost impossible goal. My family wanted me to focus on engineering and support our family business. Still, even after my degree, I couldn’t ignore the feeling that acting was what I wanted. When I told them that I was going to Mumbai to pursue my dreams, they were displeased – they tried hard to make me stay and change my mind, but I knew that if I wanted it enough, nothing would stop me. So off I went! Initially, I started by doing commercials and gradually worked my way up after facing several rejections during auditions until finally landing a role as an antagonist. From thereon, I experienced much success with comedic roles, so I firmly believe one should always follow their heart when choosing a career.
4. How much do you enjoy doing comedy?
I have taken great joy in performing comedy roles during my career, and thankfully, I’m getting more opportunities to do so. Making the audience roar with laughter is one of acting’s greatest challenges, and I’m grateful for the chance to tackle it. Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai spurred me on to seek out more comedic parts.
5. Soon, you are making your Bollywood debut. Is it your break, or are you waiting for something greater?
Yaariyan 2 isn’t the project that will mark my ultimate breakthrough in Bollywood. I’ve got another movie coming up soon—that’s what I expect to be my ace in the hole when it comes to making it on the silver screen, as I’m playing the lead role.
Watch Imran Nazir Khan as Timmy in Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai every Monday to Friday at 10:30 pm only!
