Hina Khan: Entertainer of the year

The Bigg Boss runner up may have lost the winner’s trophy but won many other later, due to her entertainment quotient

By Surbhi Gogia

Hina Khan is one of the most popular names of the Indian television. Perhaps one of the highest paid actor in the television industry, she has ruled the small screen for almost a decade now. She rose to fame with her lead role of Akshara Singhania in ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ for 8 years. Her decision to quit the show might have been a setback to her fans and a risk to her but she took it as an opportunity to explore new projects.

Breaking away from her image of a quintessential bahu, she was next seen as an adventurer and explorer in Khatron Ke Khiladi — a show that tests your patience, courage, will power and endurance. After winning the first runner up title in the show, Hina entered the most talked about and controversial reality show of the Indian Television — Bigg Boss season 11.

Always liked and much appreciated by her fans, Hina got a mixed reaction by the followers of this hugely popular show. She had quite a graph on the show.  Known for her go-getter attitude and impressive on-screen presence Hina has a huge fan list on social media.  She started as the crowd favourite but lost some of her sheen along the way. The most negative reactions from audience came due to her remarks on other actresses or sometimes her reaction towards other contestants. Although in one of the interviews to the media, she clarified, “What you see on the TV is just 45 minutes of footage edited from a 24-hour-long video.”

But despite being trolled and criticized, Hina survived the show. She came very close to winning by being one of the top two contestants. She lost to Shilpa Shinde at the end. When Desi Today caught up with Hina to talk about her life post the show, she never seemed to have any regrets of her losing Bigg Boss. In fact she lost one trophy at the Bigg Boss, she has lifted many more after the show.

She was named the most loved contestant on Bigg Boss 11 house by Ormax Media. She has won many awards for being the Most Stylish personality of Indian TV. And recently Hina was awarded “Dada Saheb Phalke Excellence Award” for the Best Entertainer in Reality Show Bigg Boss.

In an interview with Desi Today, Hina talks about how life has been treating her after Bigg Boss. She

feels lucky. “I got my bit after Bigg Boss…the love and adulation that I got from the audience in itself has made me a winner.”

Q1) Please tell us something about yourself. Your family, your hometown and your career goals while growing up?

I was born in Srinagar and studied MBA in Delhi, I always wanted to become a journalist but acting happened to me just like that.. and I took it like a challenge.. rest everyone knows :).

Q 2) Did you always dream to be part of the glamour industry? 

No I never wanted to be an actor.. but my story is like a Cinderella story and I guess I was destined to be an actress.

q 3) How did you get your first break?

As I mentioned that it was a Cinderella story. I was forcefully sent by my friends for auditions. I gave the auditions just like that and next day continued with my college. You won’t believe I got a call the very next day of auditions that I was selected for the role and had to travel to Mumbai. So ya I consider myself lucky and thank God every now and then.

Q 3) What prompted your decision to leave Yeh Rishta…?

I had been part of the show for eight years and could feel that I needed to move on and do something different and exciting.  I wanted to grow further and explore more opportunities as an actor and entertainer and hence I decided that it was time to say good bye.

Q 4) Audiences have seen your on-screen transformation from an ideal Bahu, to a daring adventurer in Khatron Ke Khiladi (KKK) and finally a badass contestant in Big Boss who was never scared to call a spade a spade, we want to know who is Hina Khan in real? Do you identify yourself with any on screen role?

The real Hina is the girl you saw in KKK and Bigg Boss (BB).  I stand up for what I feel is right. I am a simple girl who believes in working hard.  I love challenges and want to keep exploring and challenging myself when it comes to my work.  There are bits and pieces of all characters which we as actors can identify with but at the end of the day, an onscreen persona will always remain fictional.

Q 5) How did you decide to be part of Big Boss Season 11? Your most memorable moments in the show?

Well honestly I never thought I would do a show like Bigg Boss.  But I saw it as a challenge.  I’ve been a pampered princess at home and so I knew that living away from my family for so long and being surrounded by cameras with strangers won’t be easy. But it’s the challenge that really made me go for it!  I remember the last footage that Bigg Boss played of my journey and called me ‘Sher Khan’ and that moment and my entire journey are the most beautiful memories I still cherish from the show.

Q 6) One of the most popular contestants of this show and so close to winning, media and critics are giving their own reasons for you losing, but we want to know from you —  why do you think you lost? Any major mistake? 

Well I see it from a different point of view. I have been receiving awards every month after BB. Be it Dada Saheb Phalke award for the best contestant in BB or a prestigious award presented by Delhi’s ex chief mister — Rajiv Gandhi Excellence award for the best entertainer in BB or Hindustan Time’s most stylist personality of television and many other awards. So I feel what I missed in BB was lifting the trophy and when I came out I realised how much people loved me and have been honouring me every now and then. I think that’s my real achievement and I have mentioned it many times that BB is a very well edited show. People judge on that basis but in real life you get what you deserve. And I am so lucky I got my bit after BB. The love and adulation that I got from the audience in itself made me a winner. There were no mistakes, I was who I am and I have no regrets!

Q7) If we talk about your sweet and sour relation with Shilpa Shinde, how are things between you two, post the show? 

We haven’t met each other post the show and we are two actresses who belong to the same industry.  And I know sooner or later we might get to meet each other and I am cool with it. I will always be cordial with her.. no hard feelings..That’s about it!

Q 8) How is life treating you post the show? Your fans want to know what new projects or up- coming shows you are involved with?

Life has been fabulous!  I have been walking the ramp, traveling and busy with events.  I also shot for a music video as well as a short film. I am loving the new genres and working on exploring various mediums. Talks are on for many projects and you will see me back on screen very soon!

Q 9) You will be next seen in a digital movie Smartphone. Please tell us something about it.

 I am playing a completely different avatar- a  village girl who sees the city life and is intrigued by all that she sees in this new world.

q 10) You recently got Dada Saheb Phalke Excellence Award” for the Best Entertainer in Reality Show, one of the biggest honours of the industry, how do you feel?

Awards are always a cherry on top for all the hard work we put in as actors.  It feels great.

12) And now your favourites: actor, actress, food, holiday destination?

My favourite holiday destination is London.

When it comes to actor — many Bollywood and Hollywood actors Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Saurabh Shukla, Naseer sir and many others.

My favourite actresses are Vidya Balan, Kajol, Radhika Apte — I basically like realistic performances.

I enjoy Mughlai, Italian and Chinese food.

13) Is marriage on cards for you?

No, not anytime soon.

14) What do you want to say to your fans in Vancouver?

Thank you for all the love!  Keep sharing your love, feedback and support as that keeps me going!