'I always knew that whatever I'd do, I would be good at that'

Bollywood heartthrob Imran Khan discusses his school life and career philosophies.

Q. You changed many schools, why?

A. I left Scottish Orphanage, Mumbai because they used to beat us and I developed a bad stammer. Then I went to Holy Innocence in Wellington. I joined Blue Mountain, Ooty next. The principal started a school in Geddai, a small village. I was there for five years. I moved to Valley School when this school shut down. I didn't go to college. I wasn't much of a student. Anything that interests me I know, but in my own context. I was good at English. Physics made sense to me. I never understood chemistry.

Q. Were you a teachers' pet?

A. Teachers despaired over me. "You know if you'd just apply yourself you'd be..." they'd say.

Q. What did you think of yourself?

A. I always knew that ultimately, whatever I'd do, I would be good at that. And I would work hard at it and be better than most people. I didn't really worry. I didn't understand chemistry -- I'd say, 'Fine! I am not going to be a chemist!'

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A. Padmini aunty, my 9th grade class teacher in Valley School and our principal Mallika aunty. They didn't seem like teachers. I enjoyed talking to them even after school hours.

Q. Did school develop your sensibilities?

A. School taught me something that it didn't teach anyone else. I learnt that if I want to do anything, I'd have to learn and do it myself. Today, my friends call me Imikipedia -- the Imran encyclopedia. But I barely managed to pass ICSE. It's all self-taught.

Q. The best thing about school?

A. Basketball. In Bangalore, I enjoyed Valley School. I had a number of friends. Our classroom was near the basketball court. So whenever we got a break we'd be out of the window, playing.

Q. First crush?

A. My mother tells me it was a girl called Karen in kindergarten. I don't remember, I was only 5.

Q. Any memorable incidents while growing up?

A. I must've been 11 at the time I went to Geddai. My school there was a gurukul on a farm. No electricity. We grew our own vegetables. It was an interesting experience.

Q. How did you spend your first salary?

A. My first real salary was for Kidnap. I bought my mom a large plasma TV.

Q. Is it better to have fun or live with a purpose?

A. Living with a purpose is ultimately more fun.

Q. Your greatest fear?

A. I fear being inadequate.

Q. Should one take up the profession one loves or one that pays?

A. That's a personal choice. For some people, money is very important. They might do a job that they don't like, for a lot of money. Some people might follow their passion and not care about the money. And there are a few lucky people like me who get lots of money to follow their passion. It doesn't get better than that. Beatrice Kaufman once said "I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better."