Every year, thousands of aspiring actors pack their bags and head to Mumbai with dreams of becoming the next big movie star. Few realise that the journey rarely runs in a straight line. Mohammed Iqbal Khan, better known as Iqbal Khan , is a prime example — his career began with a couple of unsuccessful Bollywood films, nearly ended with him considering a return home, and eventually led him to become one of Hindi television’s most popular romantic leads.
Redefining his career beyond TV
However, his films released alongside massive star-studded projects such as Shah Rukh Khan’s Kal Ho Naa Ho, Sanjay Dutt’s Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and LOC Kargil. This made it difficult for his early films to gain traction. When both films failed to perform, the work dried up. I think everyone who moves there feels that way — that it will happen. But nothing like that happened initially. And the films I started my career with didn’t work. Playing the charismatic rock star Angad Khanna, Iqbal became an overnight sensation. His intense screen presence, deep baritone voice and bad-boy charm captivated audiences across the country. When Ektaa Kapoor cast Iqbal as the lead in Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai, the show became an instant prime-time hit. A string of television hits followed, including Kavyanjali, Kahiin To Hoga, Tumhari Pakhi and Sanjog Se Bani Sangini, solidifying his position among television’s leading actors. He also became one of the highest-paid actors in the television industry. Over the years, he went on to feature in shows such as Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant and Dil Se Dil Tak. Rather than staying within one domain, Iqbal used his television success to explore films and digital streaming as well. Over the years, he has built a diverse portfolio across film and OTT.
In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Iqbal recalled his early days and said, “When I moved to Bombay, I thought that perhaps I would become Shah Rukh Khan as soon as I arrived. His immense romantic appeal, persona and massive female fan following led Ektaa to publicly refer to him as the “Shah Rukh Khan of the small screen”, or television.
