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I like working with Ekta, she's like family: Shabbir Ahluwalia
Ano Patel,TNN | Apr 26, 2014, 12.00 AM IST
Shabbir Ahluwalia with Kanchi Kaul
Shabbir Sebastian Ahluwalia, once termed small screen's badboy heartthrob, makes a comeback to prime time soaps after two years with his close friend and mentor Ekta Kapoor's new show, Kumkum Bhagya. After stints in films like Shootout at Lokhandwala and Mission Istanbul, he did reality shows Khatron Ke Khiladi 3 (which he went on to win), Fear Factor and show host for Nach Baliye 1 and 2, Meethi Churi No.1. While he turned producer with the costume drama Savitri, his last acting stint on the small screen was Laagi Tujhse Lagan. Currently seen in a "very different" role as rockstar Abhi, Shabbir says the role is "crazy but good fun." Shabbir, who might have some good news on the personal front (with wife Kanchi Kaul reportedly on a maternity break), is in a happy space. Excerpts from a hearttalk:
'NEVER DONE BEFORE' ROLE At the risk of sounding predictable, I have to say that in my show I'm playing a rockstar which is something I've not done before. I've seen Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar) and Farhan Akhtar (Rock On!!!) play rockstars, but let's say I got a lot of inputs from elsewhere too. As actors, we need to push the envelope and keep the excitement alive. The perception of a rockstar differs from person to person; the way they talk, the way they walk. I like playing such fun, edgy characters which are out-of-the-box.
EKTA & I GO BACK A LONG WAY I have done nine shows and a movie with Ekta's production house. Her production house is like family. It offers strong content which is why I like to work with her production company.
I LOVE RISKS Savitri was an experimental show in a Hindi GEC band. It was a risky show but we are pretty happy with what we achieved. We wanted it to be a visual delight and it was a graphic show, which did well alongwith the family dramas. I love taking risks and I think this is the age to experiment. Eventually audiences decide the fate of any show. Right now, at least for the next few months, I am only going to concentrate on my ficiton show.
Mum's the word on Kanchi I really don't want to talk about whether Kanchi is pregnant or not right now.
'NEVER DONE BEFORE' ROLE At the risk of sounding predictable, I have to say that in my show I'm playing a rockstar which is something I've not done before. I've seen Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar) and Farhan Akhtar (Rock On!!!) play rockstars, but let's say I got a lot of inputs from elsewhere too. As actors, we need to push the envelope and keep the excitement alive. The perception of a rockstar differs from person to person; the way they talk, the way they walk. I like playing such fun, edgy characters which are out-of-the-box.
EKTA & I GO BACK A LONG WAY I have done nine shows and a movie with Ekta's production house. Her production house is like family. It offers strong content which is why I like to work with her production company.
I LOVE RISKS Savitri was an experimental show in a Hindi GEC band. It was a risky show but we are pretty happy with what we achieved. We wanted it to be a visual delight and it was a graphic show, which did well alongwith the family dramas. I love taking risks and I think this is the age to experiment. Eventually audiences decide the fate of any show. Right now, at least for the next few months, I am only going to concentrate on my ficiton show.
Mum's the word on Kanchi I really don't want to talk about whether Kanchi is pregnant or not right now.
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