Masala Exclusive: Iqbal Khan says, “There’s no end to the rat race”
Iqbal Khan is enjoying a ‘Summer of ’42’ of sorts. In his early ’40s, he’s redefined romance in Atul Kelkar’s show Na Umra Ki Seema Ho. As magnate Dev Raichand his marriage to a sprightly Vidhi (Rachna Mistry) alludes to a May-December alliance with #ViDev trending timelines.
Truly Iqbal, now grey and even more gorgeous, is enjoying an unprecedented career curve. Suave and sensitive, he’s a hark back to the Mills & Boon hero; women through generations have fantasized about. While the series is said to wrap up this month, this is a love story for the ages. Adulation, however, is something the philosophic Iqbal has never been swayed by. Khan of the small-screen, who hit fame with Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai, Kavyanjali, Karam Apnaa Apnaa… he’s cognizant of the shenanigans of showbiz. For him it’s the spiritual that ultimately matters – his bond with loved ones, the conversation with the self, the journey within…
Iqbal Khan shot on the set
Masala: Audiences have appreciated your May-December romance with Rachna Mistry in the show Na Umra Ki Seema Ho. What makes Dev Raichand tick?
Iqbal Khan: Dev Raichand ( Devvrat) is a righteous guy. Through him one can convey a positive message and as an actor give back to society. Dev is a blend of being right and kind. That makes him an inspiration. With this character, I can put across so many things. How you treat your mother, your wife, how you control your anger, how to remain kind… I guess the sincerity of this character connected with the audience. Also, compassion, tolerance, wisdom… these traits appear relatable in an older person.
Masala: Your salt and pepper hair has become a rage. What kind of reactions have you received?
Iqbal Khan: (Smiles) By the grace of God, I’ve received positive reactions. I didn’t sport the look deliberately. Actually, I began graying early. I just stopped colouring my hair. There’s no hard work behind it. I was cautioned that I’d only be getting older roles if I kept my natural hair. But I didn’t pay attention to it. Also, Rachna and I look okay together.
Masala: In marked contrast is Apoorva Lakhia’s web series Crackdown where you play the tough officer – Zorawar Kalra. What was the excitement of playing such a character?
Iqbal Khan: Doing different things gets the creative juices flowing. My character is totally different from the person I am. Considering it’s the web zone, it’s more real. In the first season Zorawar, is arrogant, a womanizer, and someone who’d do anything to get his work done. He’s an a*****e. But he’s not a gaddaar (traitor) – he’s a patriot. In the second season he sheds all the unpleasant traits. He shows his vulnerable side. He wants to clear his name. The character is more concerned with redemption.
Masala: Are you enjoying this curve where you can explore both television and OTT?
Iqbal Khan: Honestly, I don’t pay attention to this. I do TV, OTT and films with all sincerity. I have a family to take care of. I have daughters (Ammaara was born in 2011 and Ifza in 2022), who I want to ensure grow into fine human beings. Recently, my wife Sneha (Chhabra Khan) shared the quote, “Stress is a conversation that you have with yourself, which has no outcome. Prayer is a conversation with God that has a positive outcome.” So I trust Him. We’re all going to die one day and leave behind it all – property, car, money… Inner happiness is something else. I try to work on it every day. I’m not giving gyan. It’s not as though I’ve reached Zen zone. But I believe there’s no end to the rat race.
Masala: You began in 2001. What has brought you so far?
Iqbal Khan: I have wonderful and pious parents. In fact, 75 per cent of my job gets done by their prayers. I’m grateful to God for everything that came my way – the ups and the downs. I’ve done good things, bad things, good work, bad, horrible work… All that has made me the person I am today.
Masala: You once cited Shiv in Karam Apnaa Apnaa (2006) as your favourite character. Why?
Iqbal Khan: Shiv was my favourite till Balaji’s Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do (2015-2016), a taut 100-episode series, happened. It was the story of an ISI agent, who comes to India, lives with an Indian family and has a change of heart. It had good actors including Mona Singh. There was no kitchen politics, no saas-bahu conflict.
Earlier, I’d enjoyed playing Shiv because he was unpredictable. He was not your regular hero. If he found the heroine irritating, he’d pass nasty one-liners. But slowly they fall in love. Many shows followed this format later.
Masala: You’ve taken breaks a couple of times – one before Chhoona Hai Aasmaan (2007) and a four-year absence before the show Nima Denzongpa (2022). Why?
Iqbal Khan: Honestly, I first took a break of two-three months before marriage (2007). I was overworked and had developed ulcers. I used to shoot 24/7. I’d shoot from 9 am – 4 am and then begin another shift at 7 am. It took a toll on my health. After the break, I did Chhoona Hai Aasmaan.
Then I took a break when some filmmakers signed me and said I’d have to quit TV. I don’t want to name them but they wasted my time – almost a year and a half – as some projects never got completed. It was heartbreaking. That explains my disappearance during that time. There have also been breaks when there was no good work or no work coming at all.
Iqbal Khan with wife Sneha Chhabra Khan and daughter Ammaara
Masala: In times when social media is viewed as a commercial opportunity, why are you off it?
Iqbal Khan: Firstly, I believe your rizq (sustenance) is given by Allah. You have to ask Him. There’s no ego or harm in asking for work. But you can only ask once. You can’t beg for it. Just do your work with earnestness. Even if the world pulls you down but He wants to bring you up, He will create an industry for you.
Regarding social media,I’ve genuinely nothing to share. I am an introvert. There’s nothing wrong in making reels and earning money out of it. But I’m not comfortable doing that. When I did it in the past, I realized I was forcing myself to do it. Social media is there to put out opinions, with which some may agree and some may not. I don’t have the energy to deal with all of that. Some people, who’re not engaged in any commercial activity, simply look for validation from strangers. They put their personal lives out in social media, sharing things about themselves, their children… I don’t understand that.
Masala: Your wife Sneha has been a strong support in your journey. What’s the strength of your marriage?
Iqbal Khan: Thestrength lies in Sneha’s patience. I give her credit for that. She keeps the family intact with love and prayers. Also, to give children their due, they bring you closer and deepen the bond. (Smiles) I give myself a bit of credit for keeping it fun.
Masala: As a father what would you like to ensure your daughters Ammaara and Ifza possess?
Iqbal Khan: I just want them to be good human beings, compassionate and kind. There’s a saying what’s better – being kind or right? If you do it right and also kindly, it’s beautiful. Every human being is a part in the puzzle of this world. All that one does affects someone else’s life. It’s about contributing to that puzzle. When you go through pain, you either come our bitter or better. I want them to come out better.
Masala: Any crazy fan experiences considering your tremendous popularity with women?
Iqbal Khan: There was someone who’d come and stand under my building. It kept happening again and again. Then it turned crazy on social media. My wife and children were being abused. So I’d to approach the cybersecurity to make sure it stops.
Masala: An honest bit of advice for newcomers…
Iqbal Khan: Chase your skill, not money or fame. If you chase money it may/ may not lead you somewhere. But skill will get you both. Above all, be a good person. There’s an unseen connection between the audience and the artiste. There are some great actors but they’re not liked by people. On the other hand, there are some mediocre actors, who’re loved by people. If you’re both a good person and a good actor, that’s excellent.
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