Ekta reveals Iqbal.................

by Subhash K Jha

After Rajiv Khandelwal left Balajee Telefilms' Kahiin To Hoga the late-night daily on Star Plus faced the same identity crisis as Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi after 'Mihir' Amarr Upadhyay's departure.

Says producer Ekta Kapoor, "The new Sujal is played by Gurdip. And he seems to have found acceptance as Sujal. My grandmother called me to ask if she could meet Sujal. When I told her he(Rajiv Khandelwal) was no longer part of Kahiin To Hoga, she corrected me. She wanted to meet Gurdip."

However there's a need in this popular soap to supplement the new Sujal with a fake serial. Iqbal Khan who plays Angad in the popular Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai is now part of Kahiin To Hoga. He plays an imposter masquerading as the hero Sujal.

Iqbal Khan who's up to his neck in his daily Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai has unquestioningly taken on the added responsibility at Balajee Telefilms. "I had decided I wouldn't be able to do anything more at this time. But when Ekta asked me to join Kahiin To Hoga there was no way I could say no. She's my saviour and bread-giver."

How's Iqbal managing? "I get up at 7 a.m. , leave home by 9 p.m. and shoot the entire day for Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai. And then I proceed to shoot for Kahiin To Hoga till 10.30 in the night. After which I go for my dance rehearsals. I'm doing a solo act in the Indian Television Awards next month. It's a hectic dog's life. Only Allah gives me the strength to somehow manage."

Iqbal seems somewhat confused about how long he's expected to stay on Kahiin To Hoga with his rogue's act. But Ekta is more time-specific. "Iqbal is required for just 4-5 episodes. Yes, we do want to use his popularity on his other serial for Kahiin To Hoga."

Ekta reveals Iqbal is one of the most popular actors from her serials. "The other is Mohnish Behl. His entrance into Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki has done wonders for the serial's ratings and his popularity."