Angad...errr..Iqbal Khan, the new poster boy and Ekta Kapoor's rockstar is a simple and down-to-earth person quite contrary to his screen self. No wonder, he is the current heart throb of not just teeny boppers but scores of housewives who religiously watch his soaps. With two daily shows Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai and Kaavyanjali in his kitty, his schedule is packed.
ShaadiTimes catches up with him in his vanity van on the sets of Kaavyanjali when he takes some time off to have his lunch and becomes candid.
Quite unlike others who graduate to films from TV, Iqbal Khan came back to TV after starting off with two films. "After college I started modelling in Delhi and eventually came to Mumbai and did few music videos. Then I signed up two films Fun2shh and Bullet - Ek Dhamaka which bombed at the box office. After that I was jobless for one year until one fine day when I was offered the lead role in a daily soap under Balaji. I wasn't too sure and then I spoke to my parents and finally took up the assignment. It worked out and people began to notice me. I like to act. The medium does not matter. Television is big these days. Look at the Kahaani people. They get mobbed wherever they go. I would definitely consider film offers but they have to be as big as Angad," reflects Iqbal.
A perfect loyalist to the Balaji camp, Iqbal was recently in the news as he was successful in having his way with the generation leap in Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai. So what is his equation wth Ekta Kapoor? "She is my boss and I'm her employee. She is not my friend, she is my boss and I always treat her like my boss. I get offers from outside but I don't take them up as I am happy with my work and the money that I get. I would like to do something different and interesting now. Ekta is also coming up with some reality shows and I would love to be a part of them. Anchoring a show is also quite exciting. Balaji is becoming too big now. Everything is done in-house. You just have to move from one room to the other," cracks Iqbal.
You play a casanova who does not believe in love in Kaisa Yeh... How similar are you to your screen character - Angad?
I'm quite unlike Angad. I am a very regular guy. I wear plain jeans and tee shirts when I'm not shooting. I don't wear ear studs or chain-shains. I generally wear a clean shave but because of the character I keep a stubble. I am probably more romantic than Angad. I totally believe that romance is very important for life as it helps to keep you fresh.
Iqbal is planning to get married to long-time girl friend Sneha Chabbra next year.
So is it a love marriage?
I'm very lucky to have Sneha in my life. But only love marriages doesn't work. It has to be love plus arranged as the parent's consent is very important for a marriage. Thank God I have my parents' consent.
When and how did you meet Sneha?
I met her loooooong time back. I did a music video with Falguni Pathak and there I met her in Delhi. We liked each other and then exchanged numbers and slowly we realised that we are made for each other. So it was not a particular day when I just asked her out. She has seen me in the days when I didn't have work and also in the days when I had work.
So, what are your plans for marriage?
Oh, I don't get time to think anything constructive about marriage. I'm on the sets for 16 hours and then I am too tired and fall asleep. But I would definitely do something special for Sneha. Though we have not fixed the date (sometime next year) and venue, I can say it will be a small event with only close friends and family.
What do you expect from marriage?
Compatibility, love and luxury because I have always lived alone. After marriage I will go home to someone who will shower me with lots of attention and some delicious home cooked food. Inshah allah , I'll be a happy man!!
What do you two fight about?
I don't get stuck on anything..nor does she. She is very flexible. In life, there are always ups and downs. So sometimes she gives in and sometimes I give in. This is important in any relationship. It makes the relationship healthy and ego free. You just have to figure out who was responsible for the last fight! So it's his turn to adjust this time. (Laughs)
Do you believe in live-in relationships?
I come from a background where marriage is important. I don't know what others say, but I believe that marriage seals a relationship forever.
You have a huge female fan-following. Will marriage hurt that image?
It's all God's grace and blessings. I know that my fans love me and are concerned for me. I have come across a number of them and they are all special to me. I respect them but I don't think my marriage will dampen their spirits. Fan following does not go to such an extent.
Is Sneha comfortable with your fan club?
There was a woman who was from Punjab and she used to know everything about me.. so it was a bit spooky when she used to call me up. Sneha is cool about this as she knows that it's part of my work.
We see a different Iqbal now, different from what he was in Fun2shh - in his looks, his attitude and acting. What brought in this transformation?
As far as looks are concerned I had long hair before and looked young and did not have a stubble. After my two films failed to click with the audience I did not have work for one year. There was a lot of stress and my hair started greying and there were lines on my face and I looked older. But as far as attitude is concerned, the hard times taught me to be mature. And once you get a little bit of success everything changes. You have more confidence as people start recognising you and this is also reflected in your personality and attitude.
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