Ekta Kapoor behind Iqbal Khan ban?

A contract between the channel and Ekta's production house may lead to derailment of Iqbal's new show.


Ekta Kapoor is saddened by Star's decision to blacklist Iqbal Khan from the television channel. But she says there's no choice. Ekta says, "Please let me clarify I've not asked the channel to drop Iqbal. I got to know of this recently. I love Iqbal. He's a terrific guy. But there's an official policy in all dealings between my production house and the channel. According to that policy it would be tough if not impossible for Iqbal to work with me or them if he decides to leave a Star-Balaji show. It's a very common policy in a lot of business places including airlines.

This is done to retain an exclusive hold over human talent."

Personally, Ekta says she has no issues about working with Iqbal. "I'd never harm Iqbal's career. But I hear that our lawyers let the channel know of this policy. Because when the policy was decided there were different people at the helm at the TV channel. If out of fondness for Iqbal we make an exception to the policy, what happens to the other actors who are caught in a similar situation?"

On being informed of this new decision to blacklist him, Iqbal is shocked. "I don't know what to say. It's now up to the company that's producing my first post-Balaji serial to decide on the future course of action. If they want me to leave the show, I will. But I'm a firm believer in God. And I'll continue doing my work."