Iqbal Khan is back on the small screen after a two-year break. He plays the lead in Tumhari Paakhi on life OK that goes on air on November 11. He tells SHAlINI SAKSENA that his role in the soap is very true to life — not a character where people will say ‘aisa kahan hota hai’ and that it is a must-watch
You have been out of action for two years. What kept you busyIJ
If you see my graph you will find that I have, on regular intervals, taken a break. But this time round, I wanted to be with my daughter who just turned two. I didn't want to miss out on her initial growing up years. This break has been worth it.
There are reports that you turned down a few shows. WhyIJ
It was because I didn’t like the character/role that I was being offered. Another time, I would have had to relocate since the shooting was outside Mumbai and I was not willing to do so. Then sometimes when everything is in place, things just don’t work out.
Tell us about Tumhari Paakhi.
To say anything now will be a spoiler. The viewers should see the show without any bias. All I can say is that I play Anshuman Rathore — a character that is life-like. I will not say that he is black, white or grey — just a regular person who has emotions like jealousy, envy, anger, is happy etc. Even though he is the hero, is not all goody-goody.
What is the USP of the showIJ Reasons why viewers must watch itIJ
The best way to answer this is to give a list of reasons why everyone should see Tumhari Paakhi. First, for the storyline. It is fantastic. Second, for the reputation of the producer of the show. Third, the growing popularity of like OK as a channel. Fourth, for Shraddha Arya, the female lead. Finally, for my performance.
How is Shraddha Arya as an actorIJ What about the off the screen relationshipIJ
She is an extremely competent and talented actor. Her performance in the serial is fantastic. It was been great working with her. As for our relationship when the camera is not focused on us, I will say it is very cordial. Though it is important to hit-off with the co-star, the same is not important for my performance. I give my 99.9 per cent. But if we hit off well, the onscreen performance touches 110 per cent.
Is getting a break in Bollywood easier or on TVIJ
I will not say that getting a break on the telly is easier. The economics on the small screen is very different — it is content driven. Any actor who says that a serial is popular because of him is fooling himself. Bollywood on the other hand is very complicated. They have targets. So many movies are becoming hits today, with no content. It is an actor who determines whether the film will be a hit or not. Since the two mediums are different, a break is either is no cakewalk.
Most soap go off a tangent after sometime. Should an actor not have a say how the serial should progressIJ
It would be nice to have a say in it but today, everything is governed by TRPs. With so many modes of entertainment, it is important to keep the viewer entertained and if it means changing the script to his demands why not. Also, the scriptwriters have limited imagination — they can only stretch it so much and no further. Therefore, one finds leaps — 10 years, 20 years, character changing or even dying.
You are from the Valley. How did the move happenIJ
I moved from Srinagar in 1992. There was nothing much that it had to offer in terms of work. Those times were trying and my parents were worried about me. So, they sent me out — I studied in a hostel. When I do go back now, I feel sad to see the fate of all those who stayed back. In that sense I consider myself very fortunate.
Any other projects that you are working onIJ
If one is playing a lead in nay serial, there is no time for anything else. We shoot for 26 to 28 days for more than 12 hours a day. The couple of days that one gets, there is no time for anything but spend it with the family. With a two-year-old daughter, I don’t want to commit myself to anything else for now on the small screen. But if something comes my way that really catches my imagination (in Bollywood) I will see what can be done. But it is a bridge that I will cross when I come to it. For now, I am busy with Tumhari Paakhi.