EXCLUSIVE: Iqbal Khan Admits He Had ZERO Interest In Working In TV; Reveals, “Mujhe Uss Time Paise Ki Zarurat Thi”

Iqbal Khan may have become a household name with television, but the medium was never part of his original plan. Like many actors who arrive in Mumbai with big-screen dreams, he too had his eyes set only on films. However, circumstances pushed him in a different direction, one that ultimately changed his life. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Iqbal Khan opened up about how television happened by chance, his early struggles, and why survival often shapes career choices. Read on to know what he had to say.

Iqbal Khan Admits He Had ZERO Interest In Working In TV

Recalling how he landed on television despite having no interest in it, Iqbal Khan admitted it was purely out of necessity. He said, “Mujhe ek channel se phone aaya tha, aur mujhe TV karne ka zero interest tha. Bilkul bhi interest nahi tha. Maine woh show sirf isliye kiya tha kyunki mujhe us time paise ki zarurat thi — bas. Uske peeche koi aur maksad nahi tha. Kaafi time se kaam nahi mil raha tha, to maine socha jo aa raha hai, woh kar lete hain.”

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He also shared that even the audition process did not go as expected, and he did not fit the brief initially. Still, things worked out in his favour. “Audition waise kuch khaas nahi hua tha, mujhe yaad hai thoda bahut test hua tha. Ekta ko ek rockstar type look chahiye tha — lambe baal, daadhi. Lekin main us look mein fit nahi hota tha. Main clean shave tha, side se baal alag the. Phir bhi ho gaya. Jab hona hota hai, to ho jaata hai,” he recalled.

Speaking about his early aspirations, Iqbal made it clear that television was never part of his vision. He said, “Mere vision mein kabhi TV tha hi nahi. Main hamesha kehta tha mujhe films karni hain. Main usi ke liye aaya tha. Mujhe lagta tha acting ka matlab sirf films hota hai. Theatre, TV — maine kabhi us direction mein socha hi nahi tha. Mujhe to pata bhi nahi tha ki woh ek proper path hai.”

Iqbal Khan Reflected On How He Didn’t Think Of Money When He First Came

He also reflected on the mindset he had when he first moved to Mumbai, admitting that at that age, survival often takes priority over long-term planning. “Aur sach kahun, 20–21 saal ka insaan itna nahi sochta. Usko nahi pata hota ki paise honge ya nahi. Woh bas apni gut feeling follow karta hai,” he said.

Opening up about his struggles, Iqbal spoke candidly about the realities of making it in the industry. “Aap akela hote ho, struggle karte ho. Kabhi dinner nahi kiya to kya hua. Kabhi recharge karke khaya, kabhi nahi khaya — vada pav kha liya. Ye sab us journey ka part hota hai,” he added, highlighting the resilience it takes to keep going.

In conclusion, Iqbal Khan’s journey shows how unplanned choices can sometimes lead to defining moments. What started as a practical decision to earn a living eventually became the turning point of his career. His story reflects the unpredictability of the industry, where persistence, timing, and a bit of chance often shape the path forward.

Watch Full Interview Here:

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Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Iqbal Khan BACKS Rupali Ganguly’s National Award Demand For TV Actors, Admits Shooting Hours Were Long; Says, “Hum To Dinon Din Ghar Nahi Jaate The”

Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.