The guy from Delhi Belly made a slick space thriller about Mangalyaan. Actor and filmmaker Imran Khan revisited a short film project he directed about India’s mission to orbit Mars, discussing his creative approach on social media. A self-described science nerd who followed the Mangalyaan events from 2013, he signed on in 2018 to create a cinematic tribute that treated scientists like typical action heroes.
He explained wanting factual accuracy while framing the story as a suspense thriller, taking aesthetic liberties with sharply dressed characters and a slick control room set designed by Bindiya Chhabria. His vision included RGB gaming keyboards as a personal nod to video games, along with embedded references to franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. Khan credited producer Punit Malhotra for support, cinematographer Anuj Dhawan for the visual style, and his cast for bringing the characters to life.
The actor, known for films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and I Hate Luv Storys, is also the nephew of Aamir Khan. He stepped back from mainstream acting after his 2015 movie Katti Batti, citing a lost interest in those roles and a desire to focus on personal well-being. This short film project represented a passionate effort to honor a historical scientific achievement through collaborative filmmaking, blending his nerd interests with a director’s eye for stylish tension.
He explained wanting factual accuracy while framing the story as a suspense thriller, taking aesthetic liberties with sharply dressed characters and a slick control room set designed by Bindiya Chhabria. His vision included RGB gaming keyboards as a personal nod to video games, along with embedded references to franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. Khan credited producer Punit Malhotra for support, cinematographer Anuj Dhawan for the visual style, and his cast for bringing the characters to life.
The actor, known for films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and I Hate Luv Storys, is also the nephew of Aamir Khan. He stepped back from mainstream acting after his 2015 movie Katti Batti, citing a lost interest in those roles and a desire to focus on personal well-being. This short film project represented a passionate effort to honor a historical scientific achievement through collaborative filmmaking, blending his nerd interests with a director’s eye for stylish tension.
