‘He is an incredible person’: ‘Delhi Belly’ director Abhinay Deo backs Imran Khan amid ‘Leave India’ notice

Abhinay Deo, who directed Imran Khan in the 2011 cult dark comedy ‘Delhi Belly’, has appealed to the public to respect the actor’s views, choices and privacy. His request comes amid reports that Mumbai Police has served Imran with a ‘Leave India’ notice.What Abhinay Deo said about Imran Khan’s opinionsIn an interview with ANI, Deo said, “We should let people have their opinions, their decisions, and we should respect them for what they are worth."Imran Khan’s ‘Leave India’ notice from Mumbai PoliceMumbai Police on Thursday served a ‘Leave India’ notice on actor Imran Khan, the nephew of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, asking him to exit the country by October 28. Reports suggest that Imran holds an American passport.Abhinay Deo on his experience with Imran KhanDeo, who collaborated with Imran on ‘Delhi Belly’, said he can only speak about the actor based on his own experience of working with him. “The only thing that I can say with confidence is what I feel about him, and what kind of a person he is, in my opinion, and he is an incredible person, a very, very nice human being, and a fantastically passionate and sensitive man,” he said. The filmmaker made it clear that he would not go beyond what he knows from his own experience of working with Imran. “So, from that perspective, that’s where my feeling about him would end. Anything more than that, I would be violating his space, is what I think,” he said.Imran Khan detained under Immigration ActBased on the information provided, Imran faces action under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act, over allegations that he took part in a protest despite not being an Indian citizen. Mumbai Police detained him on Saturday while he was protesting. After being detained, the actor posted a picture of himself seemingly sitting inside a police van, with the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”Imran Khan to move Bombay High CourtKhan told the media that he was at the site as a Mumbai resident and not to press any particular demands. He also questioned limits on the freedom to move around and what he termed the suppression of public voices. His legal team informed ANI that the actor plans to contest the ‘Leave India’ notice before the Bombay High Court, with a petition expected as early as next week. The specific grounds for the challenge are yet to be revealed.Abhinay Deo on Imran Khan’s characterAmid the controversy, Deo kept his comments limited to his own experience of working with Imran and his view of the actor’s character, steering clear of the legal proceedings and the questions around his citizenship. “He is an incredible person, a very, very nice human being, and a fantastically passionate and sensitive man,” he said.Abhinay Deo’s upcoming film ‘Doosra’Meanwhile, Deo’s next film, ‘Doosra’, is set to hit theatres on October 23.Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!