Imran Khan in A Child Of The Jago, Brooks Brothers and Comme des Garçons x Bata to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at Radio City 91.1 FM (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
Imran Khan

Katti Batti’s run at the box office might be nothing to write home about, but Imran Khan’s outfits during its promotion trail? Friends, let’s make us a nice pot of tea first, ‘cos… I have plenty to talk about!

When it comes to formal wear, Imran was always bang on, but it’s his casual wear game that I found wanting: I thought it was far too mature for his age and looks,  severe and heavy. But I suppose he saw the error in his ways, ‘cos for the Katti Batti promotion trail he enlisted the help of a stylist(s) [it’s the terribly fashionable duo who go by the name of Vainglorious], who made him dress younger than ever before. Hallelujah! It wasn’t a complete 360 — there were still elements of his previous style — but it was a step in the right direction. Now, don’t you want to see the result? Click through the gallery 😉

Imran Khan in Saint Laurent, Armani Jeans and Common Projects to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at NM College’s Umang Festival (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

Saint Laurent + Armani Jeans + Common Projects

Imran Khan in Paul Smith + Marc Jacobs + Kenneth Cole + Grenson

Paul Smith + Marc Jacobs + Kenneth Cole + Grenson

Imran Khan in DSquared2 and Maison Margiela during ‘Katti Batti’ promotions at MMK College

DSquared2 Iron Maiden print t-shirt

Imran Khan in DSquared2 and Maison Margiela to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at MMK College

DSquared2 + Maison Margiela

Imran Khan in A Child Of The Jago, Brooks Brothers and Comme des Garçons x Bata to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at Radio City 91.1 FM (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

A Child Of The Jago + Brooks Brothers +  Comme des Garçons x Bata

Imran Khan in Paul Smith, Michael Bastian and Grenson during ‘Katti Batti’ promotions in Delhi

Paul Smith + Michael Bastian + Grenson

Imran Khan in Paul Smith, Michael Bastian and Grenson during ‘Katti Batti’ promotions in Delhi

Paul Smith + Michael Bastian + Grenson

Imran Khan in Canali + G-Star Raw + Common Projects during ‘Katti Batti’ promotions at F Bar & Lounge, Delhi (Photo courtesy | Vainglorious)

Canali + G-Star Raw + Common Projects (Photo courtesy | Vainglorious)

Imran Khan in Armani Collezioni and Common Projects (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

Armani Collezioni + Common Projects

Imran Khan in Zegna, Christopher Kane, Tom Ford and Officine Creative during ‘Katti Batti’ promotions (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

Zegna + Christopher Kane + Tom Ford + Officine Creative

Imran Khan in Saint Laurent and Common Projects during ‘Katti Batti’ promotions in Dubai (Photo courtesy | Vainglorious)

Saint Laurent + Common Projects (Photo courtesy | Vainglorious)

Imran Khan in Belstaff S/S’16 (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

Belstaff S/S’16

Imran Khan in Belstaff ‘Keagan’ knitwear from pre-spring 2016 collection, Brooks Brothers and Clarks Shoes during ‘Katti Batti’ promotions ((Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayanii/Belstaff)

Belstaff  ‘Keagan’ knitwear from pre-spring 2016 collection + Brooks Brothers + Clarks Shoes

Imran Khan in Belstaff and Common Projects (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani/Belstaff)

Belstaff + Common Projects

Imran Khan in DSquared2 and A Child Of The Jago for Katti Batti promotions at Ruchi’s Kitchen

DSquared2 + A Child Of The Jago

Imran Khan in Belstaff , A Child Of The Jago and Maison Margiela to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at Zoom TV

Belstaff  + A Child Of The Jago + Maison Margiela

Imran Khan in Belstaff ‘Simon’ shirt from pre-spring 2016 collection, G-Star Raw and Grenson to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at Sophia College (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani/Belstaff/Grenson)

Belstaff ‘Simon’ shirt from pre-spring 2016 collection + G-Star Raw + Grenson

Imran Khan in John Smedley and Grenson at the screening of Katti Batti (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

John Smedley + Grenson

Imran Khan in Tom Ford at 'Katti Batti’ charity screening (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

Imran Khan in Tom Ford at ‘Katti Batti’ charity screening (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)

I don’t want to bore you with my commentary on each and every one of the looks, so here are some talking points…

Yet-to-be-released Belstaff Numbers

Imran Khan in Belstaff pre-spring 2016 collection (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
Imran Khan in Belstaff pre-spring 2016 collection
Imran Khan in Belstaff pre-spring 2016 collection (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
Imran Khan in Belstaff pre-spring 2016 collection

Ever since David Beckham tied up with Belstaff, my fascination for this heritage British brand shot through the roof (#IAmAnUnabashedBecksmaniac). So imagine how impressed I was when I saw Imran rocking stuff from Belstaff’s pre-spring 2016 and spring/summer 2016 collections during the promotion trail, both of which are yet to hit the stores! That’s some serious pulling power there, which becomes all the more impressive when you realise that Belstaff has no physical presence in India yet.

A+ Sneaker Game

One of my major gripes with Imran’s erstwhile casual game was that he seldom wore sneakers and was almost always seen in chunky boots or heavy loafers. So I was pleasantly surprised to see him sport sneakers a lot — and that too ones that “high fashion sneakerheads” would be well proud of.

Imran Khan in Saint Laurent, Armani Jeans and Common Projects to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at NM College’s Umang Festival (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
Imran Khan in Common Projects BBall sneakers

Guys, if you’re looking for a pair of smart sneakers, I can’t recommend the Common Projects BBall low-top sneakers — as seen on Imran — enough. Precisely pared-back and beautifully crafted, the result is an impossibly slick pair of sneakers that would inject a spot of upscale cool to any outfit of yours. They are a bit of an investment too: if you’re bored with them after a year or two, you can always re-sell them at half the price at the very least on eBay. Yep, there is a fertile resale market for second-hand Common Projects sneakers — and that speaks of the brand’s cachet.

Imran Khan in white Maison Margiela ‘Replica' sneakers (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
Imran Khan in white Margiela ‘Replica’ sneakers
Imran Khan in sky blue and grey Margiela ‘Replica' sneakers (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
Imran Khan in sky blue and grey Margiela ‘Replica’ sneakers

The other pair he sported a fair bit was the Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ low-tops, which were inspired by the army trainers designed in Austria in the 1970s. And bless, he seems to be quite fond of the panelled design, as he has them in two colours! Between these and the BBalls, I like the latter better, as they speak to my minimalist sensibilities. Having said that, the Replicas can look cool too if you wear them without laces, as Orlando Bloom tends to.

Imran Khan in A Child Of The Jago, Brooks Brothers and Comme des Garçons x Bata to promote ‘Katti Batti’ at Radio City 91.1 FM (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
A Child Of The Jago + Brooks Brothers + Comme des Garçons x Bata

But my fave from the promotion trail was the Comme des Garçons x Bata tennis shoes. I simply loved how Rei Kawakubo breathed new life to those unexciting canvas shoes by slapping on CdG’s signature polka dot print. They are fun, easy and high on youthful attitude — and to be honest, rather unexpected from Imran.

Doing Print-on-Print Like A Boss

Imran Khan in Tom Ford at 'Katti Batti’ charity screening (Photo courtesy | Viral Bhayani)
Imran Khan in Tom Ford

The final flourish to his virtuoso sartorial display during the promotional trail was a suited-up look for the charity screening of Katti Batti. On first glance, it seems like just another well-tailored business formal look that he has done before and done them well. BUT, if you look closely, there’s some steady print-on-print action going on: windowpane checks, micro gingham and angular stripes. It takes a certain kind of skill for the visuals to pull off print-on-print without looking like you’ve been let out from the circus — and Imran (and his stylists) passed the test with flying colours.

SO, what did you think of Imran’s looks? Which one was your fave? Mine was the Comme des Garçons x Bata one due to its levity, with the Saint Laurent teddy jacket look coming a close second.

PS. Have you seen his looks for the Katti Batti promotions in Australia?