'Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir should move on from hero roles', says Imran Khan

Bollywood actor Imran Khan has stirred conversation with his candid take on Bollywood’s legendary Khans, urging Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir to adapt their careers as they age.

According to Imran, while the trio has dominated Hindi cinema for over three decades, it’s natural for actors to transition from lead roles over time.

“For over thirty years, audiences have worshipped the Khans,” he said. “You cannot be playing the lead after a certain age.”

In an interview with SHOWSHA, Imran elaborated on the shift in audience connection over time. “As a leading man, actors also start to age out,” he explained.

“There are certain years where you can work as a leading man, and then there comes an age where you are not able to play those roles. All three Khans are well into their 60s now. They have had 30 years of stardom — the likes of which are hard to conceive or parallel. I think a part of it is simply organic, an inevitable part of any actor’s journey, that as you age, you start to transition the kind of roles you play."

Imran highlighted how younger viewers naturally relate to characters closer to their own age and experience.

“Your stardom also starts to transition because there is an audience that knows you and grows with you, and then there is a whole new younger generation that begins to attach itself to people closer to them in age and experience,” he said.

“When we watch films or shows, first and foremost, we are trying to see ourselves in those stories and characters,” he added. “Instinctively, you connect with someone who is closer to your age and life experience. The younger generation might not want to watch the story of a 70-year-old man.”

Imran’s observations come amid a changing box office landscape for the Khans.

Shah Rukh Khan bounced back from a four-year hiatus with Pathaan (2023) and Jawan (2023), though his subsequent release, Dunki (2023), underperformed.

Aamir Khan faced a commercial setback with Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), while his latest, Sitaare Zameen Par, drew praise for spotlighting the supporting cast rather than his star power.

Salman Khan has similarly seen mixed results at the box office since 2018, with Tiger 3 being a rare hit.

Imran’s message underscores the need for even the most iconic stars to evolve with changing audience expectations and generational shifts.