Mumbai, February 9: The glitz of Hindi cinema inspires many to dream of becoming a star. However, achieving that dream is not easy for everyone. Some abandon acting altogether, while others, like actor Mohammad Iqbal Khan, find new horizons. Khan celebrates his 44th birthday on February 10 and continues to portray romantic roles on television.
Born in Kashmir, Iqbal Khan decided to pursue acting during his school days. He participated in school plays and won hearts with his performances. However, moving to Mumbai after college to pursue acting was a daunting task. Initially, he earned money through modeling and was determined not to rely on his family for support. Iqbal recalls arriving in Mumbai without a decent place to stay and little money. Although his family offered help, he never discussed his struggles with them.
His career took off when he began landing film roles in Bollywood. His first break came with the film “Kuch Dil Ne Kaha,” followed by appearances in movies like “Bullet Ek Dhamaka,” “Ek Choti Si Ego,” and “Phantooz,” which unfortunately did not succeed at the box office. Iqbal also worked alongside Vidya Balan in the film “Jalsa,” but establishing his identity remained a challenge. The series of flop films dented his confidence, but instead of quitting, he turned to television, delivering a string of popular serials.
Iqbal’s breakthrough on TV came with the series “Kaisa Ye Pyaar Hai,” which became a hit. He went on to star in 19 consecutive TV shows, winning over audiences as ‘Shaurya’ in “Kavyanjali” and ‘Raghu’ in “Kahin To Hoga.” His appearances in serials like “Waris,” “Dil Se Dil Tak,” “Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani,” and “Khatron Ke Khiladi” further solidified his presence. Although he took a break from TV and social media during the COVID pandemic, he made a comeback with the series “Na Umr Ki Seema Ho.” Today, Iqbal continues to reign in the television industry and is involved in several OTT projects.