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Rediff.com  » Movies » 'I am looking forward to my baby'

'I am looking forward to my baby'

By Rajul Hegde
April 20, 2014 16:00 IST
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Shabbir AluhwaliaShabbir Ahluwalia recently returned to television with Ekta Kapoor’s new show Kumkum Bhagya, on Zee TV. 

The actor, who had shot to fame with her serial Kahiin To Hoga, had tried his hand at films before he moved back.

In Kumkum Bhagya, Shaabir plays a rock star.

“I have really worked hard to shed 12 kilos to look the part," Shabbir says.

“Sport has always been an integral part of my life so I incorporated gymming with football, squash and badminton in my routine to knock off the extra kilos.

“I haven't reduced my diet because I love eating but I make sure I burn the extra calories," he says.

“I have seen Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar. I think he was fabulous. Iqbal Khan was also good as the rock star in Kaise Hai Pyaar Hai. But there is no inspiration coming from there. There might be inspiration from everywhere but it will be completely different from all that you have seen before,” he says.

So what is his idea of a rock star?

“My idea of a rock star is pretty wild (smiles). But we all had to come to mutual ground to make this rock star presentable for the 9 pm audience.”  

The actor who has worked in both mediums says, “I don’t want to just act for the sake of acting. The roles need to excite me, the medium doesn’t really matter.

“I was missing acting; I have returned to acting after two years since I was busy producing shows.”

Shabbir produced the television shows Savithri, Savdhan India and co-produced the remake of the iconic film Zanjeer.

He was not successful as a producer, but he takes it philosophically.

“Hits and misses are not a barometer for success. I am from an army background. Being an outsider, I am grateful to god for the kind of opportunities I have got.

“We all aspire to do things differently and to be known for different things. This was my attempt at that. You can go wrong with acting too but these are the risks you have to take in life. I believe in making my own path and leaving footprints behind,” he says.

He says being a producer is “a tough ball game and comes with too many responsibilities”.

Hats off to people like Farhan Akhtar and Shah Rukh Khan because they are successful as actors and producers, he says.

Shabbir has one more reason to smile: he is about to become a father.

“I am very happy with the latest development in my life. I am looking forward to my baby.

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter, but I would love to have a daughter as it is said that daughters are closer to fathers.

“Kanchi’s (wife Kanchi Kaul) bump is visible now and thankfully her daily soap (Meri Bhabhi) is coming to an end. She can take it easy.

“I have told her to sleep during the day so that we can catch up on lost time at night for dinners and movies,” he concludes.

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Rajul Hegde in Mumbai