Bollywood actor Imran Khan who took part in CJP protest had sold his Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes for a common man’s Volkswagen Polo GT car. Why he ditched the luxury cars?

Former Bollywood actor Imran Khan is back in the spotlight following his detention during a protest in Mumbai, but his life away from films offers another surprising story. The actor, who once fulfilled his dream of owning a cherry-red Ferrari, has since moved away from expensive luxury cars and turned to a modified Volkswagen Polo GT. Alongside a customised Mahindra Thar, the car reflects his growing interest in performance, design and hands-on engineering, revealing why driving a supercar no longer gave him the same satisfaction.

Why Imran Khan gave up luxury cars for a Volkswagen Polo GT

Imran, nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, rose to fame with his 2008 debut film Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, opposite Genelia D’Souza. In his mid-twenties, he bought a Ferrari, fulfilling a long-held ambition. He later added other expensive vehicles to his garage, including a Range Rover and a Porsche, along with a Mercedes and a BMW.

However, owning a supercar did not necessarily translate into the driving experience he had imagined. Speaking to Car Girls India, Imran, 42, recalled dreaming of a Ferrari when he was younger. Driving it through the city eventually made him realise that traffic and everyday conditions prevented him from exploring the car’s full potential. That realisation changed his relationship with cars. Instead of continuing to collect expensive vehicles, he chose a Volkswagen Polo and began modifying it to suit his preferences.

Imran Khan’s customised Polo GT and Mahindra Thar

Imran’s interest lies in working on cars rather than simply owning high-end models. He described spending considerable time learning about vehicles through online communities, as he pursued his interest in understanding what happens under the bonnet.

Chatting with comedians Sapan Varma, Raunaq Rajani and Prashasti Singh, Imran shared that he owns a Volkswagen Polo GT fitted with customised wheels, suspension and an exhaust system. He also replaced components of the car’s internal system and installed a third-party paddle-shift setup. According to Imran, he spent the last few years working on the modifications.

The actor has also worked on a Mahindra Thar, focusing on enhancing its performance. His approach involves getting hands-on with the vehicles and understanding how their components work, rather than relying only on the appeal of a luxury badge. Imran explained that the satisfaction he gets from modifying his Polo is greater than what he experienced during his occasional drives in the Ferrari. For him, the process of building and improving a car has become more rewarding than simply owning an expensive one.

Imran described architecture and design as two areas which further reflects his work on the Polo giving him the opportunity to experiment with a vehicle and personalise its performance.

Why Imran Khan was detained during a Mumbai protest

Imran recently attracted attention after Mumbai Police detained him on Saturday during a protest at August Kranti Maidan. The demonstration called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. After his detention, the actor shared a photograph that appeared to show him sitting inside a police van, captioning it, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”

Speaking to the media, Imran said he had attended as a Mumbai resident and was not there to put forward any specific demands. He questioned why freedom of movement was being restricted and why people’s voices were being suppressed, as reported by ANI.

Imran Khan’s arrest

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya demanded Imran’s immediate arrest and deportation, alleging that the actor had violated Overseas Citizen of India provisions and visa conditions by participating in the demonstration. “The citizens of India cannot tolerate the political extremism that Imran Khan has been displaying during his recent stay in the country,” Somaiya said, describing Imran as an American citizen holding an OCI card. He added that he had submitted what he called proof of the actor’s conduct to the police.

According to reports, Imran holds an American passport. ANI further reported that action had been initiated against him under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act over allegations that he participated in the protest despite not being an Indian citizen.