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Iqbal Khan, who quit Chhoona Hai Aasmaan before it went off-air, is now doing Waaris. He talks about his new serial, controversies and reality shows What is your new serial all about?
Waaris is all about a family, how they live together despite a lot of problems. It is a family show and I am sure everyone can sit together and watch it. It's different from the usual saas-bahu dramas. Also the story is realistic and not larger than life. What is your character in the serial?
I play Shankar and am married to Shilpa Shinde. He is a guy who loves his wife and is a very family-oriented man. The only hitch is that his father is an underworld don and this being a family business he is also involved in it. I am not playing a negative character as Shankar is a good guy. However, he has an anger problem so when he gets angry, he just picks up the gun and fires! How is it working with your co- star Shilpa Shinde?
Oh, Shilpa is really sweet to work with and also a good actress. In fact, everyone in the show is really good. Even the production house is very professional and the vibe on the sets is very positive. I am having a great time working here. What went wrong with Chhoona Hai Aasmaan?
That was one show from which I had great expectations . But the channel hardly promoted the show and that put me off. Without even promoting the show we managed to bring in the TRP's and the channel guys without informing us very conveniently changed the time-slot. To top it, the original story track also changed drastically. The show was no longer about the Air-Force background. Before signing on the dotted line, I had made it clear to the producers that if the story changes, I would quit. As an actor, I need that creative satisfaction and when I don't get it, I don't see any reason for me to be a part of the show. The show went off-air shortly after you quit. Has that got anything to do with your leaving the show?
I think it hardly makes a difference if an actor quits a show because eventually the producers find a replacement for them. Did Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi stop when Smriti quit the show? Eventually all that matters is how the audience is receiving the show. If the show has a good script and a storyline then I don't see any reason for the show to go off-air just because a particular actor has quit. With so many TV actors taking part in reality shows, aren't you interested?
No. Reality shows are great but personally I wouldn't want to be a part of them. The concept is good, the actors are good and I have no problems with actors who are doing it. To each his own! But as long as I can have two meals a day doing TV serials, I will never ever be a part of reality shows. Your stint with films did not land you any plum offers. Any plans to get back to films?
I never plan or strategise anything in life. I even became an actor by chance. By God's grace, everything has been great till now. My options are always open and if anything good comes up, I will surely take it up. Till then I am satisfied doing TV.
Waaris is all about a family, how they live together despite a lot of problems. It is a family show and I am sure everyone can sit together and watch it. It's different from the usual saas-bahu dramas. Also the story is realistic and not larger than life. What is your character in the serial?
I play Shankar and am married to Shilpa Shinde. He is a guy who loves his wife and is a very family-oriented man. The only hitch is that his father is an underworld don and this being a family business he is also involved in it. I am not playing a negative character as Shankar is a good guy. However, he has an anger problem so when he gets angry, he just picks up the gun and fires! How is it working with your co- star Shilpa Shinde?
Oh, Shilpa is really sweet to work with and also a good actress. In fact, everyone in the show is really good. Even the production house is very professional and the vibe on the sets is very positive. I am having a great time working here. What went wrong with Chhoona Hai Aasmaan?
That was one show from which I had great expectations . But the channel hardly promoted the show and that put me off. Without even promoting the show we managed to bring in the TRP's and the channel guys without informing us very conveniently changed the time-slot. To top it, the original story track also changed drastically. The show was no longer about the Air-Force background. Before signing on the dotted line, I had made it clear to the producers that if the story changes, I would quit. As an actor, I need that creative satisfaction and when I don't get it, I don't see any reason for me to be a part of the show. The show went off-air shortly after you quit. Has that got anything to do with your leaving the show?
I think it hardly makes a difference if an actor quits a show because eventually the producers find a replacement for them. Did Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi stop when Smriti quit the show? Eventually all that matters is how the audience is receiving the show. If the show has a good script and a storyline then I don't see any reason for the show to go off-air just because a particular actor has quit. With so many TV actors taking part in reality shows, aren't you interested?
No. Reality shows are great but personally I wouldn't want to be a part of them. The concept is good, the actors are good and I have no problems with actors who are doing it. To each his own! But as long as I can have two meals a day doing TV serials, I will never ever be a part of reality shows. Your stint with films did not land you any plum offers. Any plans to get back to films?
I never plan or strategise anything in life. I even became an actor by chance. By God's grace, everything has been great till now. My options are always open and if anything good comes up, I will surely take it up. Till then I am satisfied doing TV.
Are you doing any other shows besides Waaris?
Where is the time to do another show? Most of my time is taken up by Waaris. By the time I reach home, I am too exhausted to do anything else. I am very happy doing just one show because I am very lazy.
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