'I am being stalked'
Fanatic aunty from Amritsar has Iqbal Khan spooked
Television actor Iqbal Khan, of Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai and Kavyanjali fame, is scared… very scared. The reason for his nervous state is a fan from Amritsar who has been keeping a close watch on his every act. "I started getting numerous calls from a woman who called herself Mrs. Narula, and said she was from Amritsar," the actor recounts.
He initially thought it was one of those harmless calls actors receive from their fans, but when the phone started ringing at odd hours, and the caller ominously informed Khan about his own whereabouts, the actor realised that this was one fanatic admirer. "We, actors keep getting calls throughout the day, and when we are not working, we answer the phone. I was shooting for Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai when the woman called from Amritsar. I answered the call, thinking it would be important, but then I realised that it was only someone who loved my work. I spoke to her politely, and she claimed it was her daughter who was a huge fan of mine. She further claimed that her daughter was the same age as me," says Iqbal.
That was the beginning of a protracted harassment. The woman started calling Iqbal nearly every day and was aware of every detail of his life. "She would send me audio CDs of her choice, which I am yet to listen. I appreciated her gesture as an act of benevolence, believing her to be an elderly woman… and I had no problem with her until last monsoon," says Iqbal.
That was when Iqbal's brother and sister-in-law were in Mumbai and the actor was supposed to drop them off at the airport. "I was spending time with my brother and then I get a call from Mrs Narula saying, 'Beta, it's raining so don't step out.' I thought she was genuinely concerned about me, and I thanked her. But I had to step out to drop my brother and bhabi off, and then at the airport, I got another call from her, admonishing me, 'I told you not to step out from the house...it's raining.' Now that was scary. I couldn't believe that she was keeping a minute-to-minute tab on me. I was so stunned, I couldn't even reply," says Iqbal.
Recently the same crazy fan called Iqbal's landlord on his landline. "That really freaked me out. You won't believe this, but even I don't have my landlord's landline number. So from that day, I have been very careful whenever I speak to her," says Iqbal. But if he is so scared of the woman, why did he not lodge a police complaint? "I don't think the matter is that serious. She is an elderly lady and a fan. I presume she is my well-wisher and likes me. Until she causes any harm to me or my family, I will not do anything to hurt her sentiments," explains Iqbal.
In fact, the actor is planning to meet Mrs Narula very soon. "I have never met her in my life. But I am sure that the day I visit Amritsar I will certainly give her a call, and go to meet her. I think I am known today because of my fans. Good, bad and ugly – whatever happens, is part and parcel of the game." What would Iqbal have to say to Mrs Narula the day he meets her? "I would like to know how she manages to keep a track on my daily life," the actor smiles.
• I get a call from Mrs Narula saying, 'Beta, it's raining so don't step out.' But I had to... and then I got another call from her, admonishing me, 'I told you not to step out from the house' – Iqbal Khan
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