Imran Khan Actor Ordered to Leave India by October 28, 2026: Citizenship, Protest, Wife, Movies, and Net Worth Explained

Bollywood actor Imran Khan has been directed by Indian authorities to leave the country by October 28, 2026, days after he participated in a Mumbai protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The notice, first reported by The Times of India and confirmed by The Indian Express and NDTV, has triggered a nationwide debate about citizenship, free speech, and the status of the Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na star, who has lived in India for most of his life.

Why has Imran Khan been asked to leave India in 2026?

Imran Khan was asked to leave India because immigration authorities flagged his citizenship status following his arrest and participation in the CJP (Citizens for Justice and Peace) protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai. According to NDTV, the notice cites his failure to renew his long-term visa and questions his eligibility to remain in the country as a foreign national. The actor, who was born in Wisconsin, USA, in 1983, has held an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card rather than full Indian citizenship.

The Times of India reported that the order gives Khan until October 28, 2026, to exit India voluntarily or face deportation. His legal team has indicated it will challenge the directive in the Bombay High Court, arguing that his OCI status and decades of residency grant him protected rights.

What is Imran Khan's citizenship status?

Imran Khan is a United States citizen by birth and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, not a full Indian citizen. He was born on January 13, 1983, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Anil Pal, an Indian-American engineer, and Nuzhat Khan, a member of the prominent Khan family of Bollywood. His uncle is actor Aamir Khan.

Under Indian law, OCI cardholders are foreign nationals with certain rights, including indefinite stay, but they do not hold Indian citizenship. The Ministry of Home Affairs has increasingly scrutinized OCI holders who engage in political activity, which is prohibited under OCI rules. Khan's participation in the CJP protest is believed to be the trigger for the October 2026 notice.

Who is Imran Khan's wife in 2026?

Imran Khan is married to Lekha Washington, an Indian actress and designer. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2023 after dating for several years. Lekha Washington has publicly supported Khan during the 2026 controversy, posting a statement on Instagram calling the notice "an attack on the right to dissent."

Khan was previously in a long-term relationship with Avantika Malik, whom he married in 2011. The couple separated in 2019 and their divorce was finalized in 2022. They share a daughter, Imara Malik Khan, born in 2014.

What are Imran Khan's most famous movies?

Imran Khan is best known for his leading roles in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008), I Hate Luv Storys (2010), Delhi Belly (2011), and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011). His debut in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na was a critical and commercial success, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.

After a hiatus from 2016 to 2022, Khan returned with the 2023 Netflix film Friday Night Plan and has been attached to several upcoming projects, including an untitled thriller announced in early 2026.

Was Imran Khan arrested in 2026?

Yes, Imran Khan was briefly detained by Mumbai Police on October 12, 2026, during the CJP protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. According to The Indian Express, he was taken into preventive custody along with dozens of other demonstrators and released within hours. The protest was organized by Citizens for Justice and Peace to demand the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged electoral irregularities.

The detention was widely covered on social media, with hashtags like #ImranKhan and #StandWithImran trending on X (formerly Twitter) for over 48 hours. The subsequent leave-India notice was issued on October 14, 2026.

How old is Imran Khan and what is his net worth in 2026?

Imran Khan is 43 years old as of October 2026, having been born on January 13, 1983. His estimated net worth is USD 12 to 15 million (approximately INR 100 to 125 crore), according to Celebrity Net Worth and Indian media reports. His income derives from film fees, brand endorsements, and real estate investments in Mumbai and Goa.

Who is Imran Khan's father and family?

Imran Khan's father is Anil Pal, an Indian-American engineer who moved to the United States in the 1970s. His mother, Nuzhat Khan, is the sister of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's father, making Aamir Khan his maternal uncle. Khan's parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised primarily by his mother in Mumbai.

His family connections in Bollywood are extensive: besides Aamir Khan, he is related to director Mansoor Khan and producer Nasir Hussain. Despite these ties, Khan has often said in interviews that he built his career independently.

Is Imran Khan the actor the same as Imran Khan the Pakistani politician?

No, Imran Khan the Bollywood actor is a different person from Imran Khan the former Prime Minister of Pakistan. The actor was born in Wisconsin, USA, and works in Hindi cinema. The politician was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. The shared name has caused frequent confusion online, especially in 2026 as both figures dominate headlines.

What happens next in the Imran Khan leave-India case?

Imran Khan's legal team is expected to file a writ petition in the Bombay High Court before October 28, 2026, seeking a stay on the leave-India order. Legal experts cited by The Indian Express suggest the case could hinge on whether OCI holders can be deported for political speech, a question that has not been definitively settled by Indian courts.

If the order stands, Khan would be required to leave India by October 28, 2026. Supporters have planned demonstrations in Mumbai and Delhi, while several Bollywood personalities, including Aamir Khan, have reportedly reached out privately. The outcome will likely set a precedent for how India treats OCI cardholders engaged in activism.

"The notice is not about citizenship. It is about silencing dissent," Khan said in a statement shared with NDTV on October 14, 2026.

Key takeaways

• Imran Khan has been ordered to leave India by October 28, 2026, following his arrest at a Mumbai protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
• He is a US citizen by birth and an OCI cardholder, not a full Indian citizen.
• He is married to Lekha Washington and was previously married to Avantika Malik.
• His net worth is estimated at USD 12 to 15 million as of 2026.
• His legal team plans to challenge the order in the Bombay High Court.