Ali Imran’s character is a complex and versatile one. He is a bright and
young Oxford graduate holding both M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees. In his most
deceiving personality, he seems to have a moronic quality. The closest
parallel that can be found in western literature would be the character
of the detective Columbo. However, Columbo and Imran belong to two
different spheres altogether.
Imran is very agile and energetic. When it comes to fighting an enemy
face to face, we always find him winning the battle. Imran is a man with
a great character, and has extraordinary sex appeal. He has a nice
muscular body and looks stunning. But he always puts on a front of
appearing stupid and moronic. Thus, his features make him look
distinguished, but he uses his expressions to camouflage himself as one
of the stupidest men on earth. He never reveals his true side to anyone,
as he knows that it will not be good for his career, which is far dearer
to him than his life. Thus, he is always shown acting stupid, insane,
and funny, keeping the readers in hysterics at his every action. Even
his father, Mr. Rahman, becomes so sick and tired of his jests that he
orders Imran to leave the house. In his opinion, Imran is a very stupid
person who is of no use; and so he doesn’t want to associate with him.
However, Imran manages to open his father’s eyes on several occasions,
garnering praise for his efforts and bravery. Imran’s mother (whom Imran
call “Amma Bi”) loves her son, though she often beats Imran with her
sandals. Imran also has a sister named Suraiya, who is also sick and
tired of Imran, who, like a typical older brother, is always messing
around with her.
Imran dresses eccentrically; for example, he might wear a pink coat,
with a light green shirt, a yellow necktie, white pants, and a purple
flat hat with a red rose in it. Ibne Safi refers to this as Imran’s
“Technicolor Outfit.” This doesn’t mean that Imran is always dressed
like this. When required, he wears expensive suits, and looks stunning
as a result.
Most of the time, Imran drives a two-seater sports car, which he parks
in a garage near his three-bedroom apartment, where he normally resides.
He also has a Buick parked at “Rana Palace.”
Imran is a colorful character with four personalities in one. As Ali
Imran, he acts as an opportunist who can become either a police informer
or a blackmailer as the situation demands. This cover is obviously for
the police department and the villains, who do not have a clue as to how
important a position he holds.
Imran’s most clandestine personality is that of X-2, Chief of the Secret
Services. Only three other characters know this secret. One of them is
Sir Sultan, Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Imran reports
directly to him or to the Head of the State. The second person is “Black
Zero,” Imran’s favourite agent in the Secret Services.
The third is a long time friend, Roshee.
She is an Anglo-Burmese girl who Imran saves during one of his
adventures (Bhayanak Aadmi), through which she gets to know his
secret identity. Roshee is trustworthy and has helped Imran in several
cases. Imran’s secret is safe with her.
The other two personalities Imran assumes from time to time are the
Prince of Dhump and Rana Tahavvar Al Sandooqui. As the Prince of Dhump,
he is the head of a fictitious state known as Dhump. He assumes this
role whenever he has to use his influence over others through a show of
riches and power. With an armed bodyguard (Joseph) in company, this
character is hilarious beyond belief. Rana Tahavvar Al Sandooqui is
shown as a businessman who is out of town most of the time. His huge
villa, “Rana Palace,” is apparently left under the care of his servants
and the bodyguards. In reality, the Secret Service members use the
mansion as a hideout and operations center. The two other buildings that
the Secret Service uses are “Daanish Manzil,” which was destroyed during
an adventure, and “Psycho Mansion,” which operated under the disguise of
a psychiatric clinic.
Imran appears to work as a normal member of the Secret Service. His
fellow team members are always either making fun of him, or having fun
at his expense. These same members, when they hear the harsh and
commanding voice of X-2 on the phone, shiver with fear. They know he is
around, watching them. X-2 rarely appears in front of them; when he
does, he is wearing a black mask and tight black clothes that completely
obscure his identity. Of course, being an expert at altering identities,
he also completely changes his voice before addressing them. The rest of
the time, X-2 either contacts his subordinates through the transmitter
or telephone.
Imran has perfected the art of literally dodging bullets. This is called
“Sing Art,” which he learns from an international Chinese criminal,
“Sing Hee.” Sing had devised a technique by which he is able to dodge
any bullets fired on him by judging the hand movements of the assailant,
and moving swiftly. Sing Hee performs it in front of Imran once (Lashoan
ka Bazaar), and Imran asks him to do it again. That is enough for
Imran to grasp the technique involved. Then Imran surprises Sing Hee by
challenging him to shoot at him; Sing Hee cannot believe his eyes when
he is unable to shoot Imran. Despite the fact that both characters are
bloodthirsty for each other, the evil con man declares Imran to be his
rightful nephew in the cunning art.
Imran’s complex personality seems to be result of his upbringing. Ibne
Safi divulges details about his personality in Dr. Duago. Imran’s
father, Karam Rahman, Director General of the Central Intelligence
Bureau, has always been a very strict man. He wants everything done his
way. Mr. Rahman had Imran attend a Christian Missionary School as a
child, for the quality of education was better there. Imran’s mother is
a very religious and pious Muslim lady. She wants him to follow the
religion. As a result, he gets confused over what he learns in school
and what he is compelled to practice at home. He develops a dual
personality at home and in the outside world. As a result of his
father’s dictatorial rule, his missionary school’s training, and
contradictions in what he learns and what he practices, he ridicules
almost anything and everything. Despite all his personality shifts and
conflicting scenarios, he seems to adhere to the basic principles of
human rights, and law and order.
Like Faridi, Imran is also unmoved by the charms of the fairer sex;
hence, he is very hard to trap. Due to his apparently vulnerable nature
and innocent looks, women develop a crush on him as soon as they meet
him; but most of the time, Imran treats them roughly and offers nothing
but a cold shoulder. Maybe like Faridi, he too deals with this as
strictly a personal matter not to be publicized. Imran’s wit is
legendary too. His remarks are humorous and satirical on almost every
aspect of life. His personality is enjoyable, yet at the same time
provides food for thought.
Imran is fiercely patriotic and has no qualms about doing anything
whatsoever to protect his country, which is never named in any of the
books. Imran is portrayed as a character that is so preoccupied with
fighting spies working against his country, that he simply has no time
for trivial things like love, romance, marriage, or settling down with a
family. Imran’s only priority in life is to defend his homeland from its
enemies; everything else is secondary.
