PINKVILLA EXCLUSIVE: “Being a Muslim, ‘Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do’ is a platform for me to tell the viewers that Islam is about peace, not terrorism” – Iqbal Khan

Life has come full circle for noted Television actor Iqbal Khan, who made his TV debut in Ekta Kapoor’s popular romantic musical Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai. Currently essaying the role of a terrorist in Ekta’s new TV thriller Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do, Iqbal is upbeat about the show. In an interview with Pinkvilla.com, the politically and socially aware actor, shared interesting tid-bits about his co-actor Mona Singh, producer Ekta Kapoor and much more. Read on.

How are you finding Mona Singh as a co-actor?

Working with Mona is fun. We are similar. We are fun loving. So, when we are happy, we work better.

What is the atmosphere on the sets is like?

The atmosphere on the sets is very positive and happy. Only when there are serious scenes not everyone is giggly. But even when a serious scene is being shot and we burst into laughter, only then it gets difficult to shoot.

Please tell us a few things about the enigmatic Ekta Kapoor that you have gathered during your association with her all these years.

I have been working with Ekta for almost 10 years. She is somebody who has changed the face of television. 10-12 years ago, there was only one production house that ruled the roost – and that was Balaji Telefilms. And years after, whatever show BT produced, others reproduced. So now we have a couple of more production house which are doing well.

Balaji has always been a mother company for TV. Ekta has been a force behind it. She knows what the audience wants. She strikes the nail on its head when it comes to delivering the viewers’ expectations. Apart from that, I know that she is a child at heart and a much much much bigger person at heart now.

Did you need any grooming to prepare for your role in PKHJD?

When the show started the production house helped me in learning how a spy works.

How do you relate to your character?

I relate to my character full on ya, full on! There are so many people who get into this kind of nonsense. That is how religion plays with your mind. I recently read about 3 Indians who joined ISIS.

So, imagine what must have been going on in their head and how it must have played with their mind. It’s disgusting. Being a Muslim, PKHJD is a platform for me to tell the viewers that Islam is about peace and terrorism has no religion.

How has Television changed over the years?

Yeh jo TRPs calculate karte hain na, woh I want to change in TV. There has to be some kind of uniformity in how they calculate TRPs.