Imran Khan reflects on viral meme that played a key role in his comeback: 'Life was good when this guy was doing rom-coms'

After nearly a decade away from films, Imran Khan is finally making his much-anticipated comeback. The actor, who first won hearts as the charming boy-next-door in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008), revealed that a wave of nostalgic memes and fan messages online played a surprising role in reigniting his creative spark and inspiring his return to the big screen.In a candid chat with Planet Bollywood, Imran explained that his break from films was necessary for personal growth and creative renewal. He said that for any creative person—be it a poet, sculptor, or musician—living life is essential, as real experiences provide the ideas and inspiration that eventually shape their art.Interestingly, the actor revealed that the internet played a key role in reigniting his creative drive. He said that fans’ nostalgic memes and posts—often shared by his friends—slowly sparked something within him. One particular collage, featuring posters of his past films with the caption, “Life was good when this guy was doing rom-coms,” especially struck a chord and motivated him to return to acting.He also said that the constant wave of memes and messages eventually became impossible to ignore. He explained that as he saw more of them, he realized fans were reaching out to him, and it felt rude not to acknowledge their affection. That sense of connection compelled him to re-engage publicly and let fans know, “Hi, guys! I hear you.”With a blend of humour and humility, Imran finally broke his social media silence. He first posted on Threads, but when it went largely unnoticed, he shared a screenshot on Instagram—where it quickly went viral. The overwhelming fan response, with messages asking, “Where are you? We want to see you,” played a major role in his decision to return to films.