The hush-hush meeting between television actor Iqbal Khan and Balaji Telefilms’ head Ekta Kapoor, who were said to have fallen out, have got rumour mills abuzz.
Have the two decided to bury their differences and work together again?
“All I can say is Ekta and I met with the same warmth affection and feeling of solidarity as we did in the past. There’s absolutely no ill-will between us. I don’t know why some sections of the press are trying to sour things between us by writing about showdowns. We never had a showdown,” Iqbal told IANS.
My decision to leave Balaji has nothing to do with any differences between us. I am taking a break because I’ve been working non-stop for two years.
“The fact is I was a flop actor when Ekta’s company gave me ‘Kaisa Yeh Pyarr Hai’. Whatever I am today I owe to Ekta. And I’m not going to be one of those actors who starts to bad-mouth her after leaving Balaji,” said Iqbal, who met his mentor last week.
Though Iqbal rules out the chance of an early return to Balaji, there’s no doubt that the doors are not shut for the actor.
Iqbal is now busy preparing for his marriage
“Only our immediate families - her parents and mine - will be present for the nikaah. After that, we’ll proceed to register our marriage. If I had my way, I’d just go straight to the registrar’s office and be done with it.”
Iqbal intends to have a large wedding reception for family and friends. Will Ekta be present?
“By all means. She has to come. Ekta has always supported me. And I won’t let that change,” said Iqbal emotionally.
IQBAL KHAN SAY NO TO ACTING IN KAISA YEH PYAAR HAI
his could blow up into a major problem. After "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms has made up her mind to take another generation leap in "Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai", but lead actor Iqbal Khan refuses to do so.
Iqbal has already informed Ekta that the generation leap isn't what he wants.
"I don't know what the solution is. Maybe I can play Angad's son. Or otherwise they can bump me off. But I am certain I won't go through the aging process on the soap. Let's see what Ekta does with my character," Iqbal told IANS.
"Please don't forget, I belong to the biggest family in Mumbai. Ekta can move me anywhere she wants. I am happy to be just part of Balaji. I have given them 19 hours a day of my time. They can do what they like with me," he added.
Shooting back-to-back for the two Balaji serials "Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai" and "Kavyanjali", Iqbal is crystal clear about his priorities.
"My loyalty to Ekta Kapoor and Balaji is unquestionable. Even if Steven Spielberg was to ask me to do a film, I'll tell him to ask Ekta about my dates. I am currently working in two serials for Ekta."
"My character Angad on 'Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai' will always remain very close to my heart. I am Angad. But I can't bring myself to age on screen. It just doesn't seem right. My career as an actor has only started. I can't allow myself to leap forward by 20-25 years. It just won't work. I want to be the lead. But I don't want to take the leap."
Moving on to his new soap "Kavyanjali" which Iqbal has recently joined, the actor said: "My character Shaurya in 'Kavyanjali' is so different from Angad. I am the funny man in 'Kavyanjali' trying to make everyone smile.
"On the sets I didn't know anyone except Anita. But now I am comfortable with everyone including Amrita Singh who is really awesome. But I am not much of a fun seeker. I give my shot. If someone cracks a joke, I laugh. But I won't crack a joke myself."
