Potential Makes Sense Only When ana Opportunity Comes Along, Not Otherwise- Ayub Khan

Ayub Khan tells Jyothi Venkatesh in this exclusive telephonic interview for bollyy.com and Mayapuri

Your current serial is ‘Ranju Ki Betiyaan’ Can you call it your best work so far?

This is something that only time will tell. Everytime you pick up a show, you want it to be a path breaking show that seeks everybody’s attention.

Especially Pawan and Rashmi from Rashmi Telefilms have given me a very progressive show in the past titled ‘Shakti’ where I was the father of a eunuch daughter.

This time again, with ‘Ranju Ki Betiyaan’, they have come up with a very interesting subject that is about a single parent working woman who raises her children all by herself.

This subject is extremely relevant in today’s society. A lot of people identify with this subject irrespective of whether they live in cities or small towns or villages. Today, the role of women is transforming.

Women are picking up new roles which are progressive. Gone are those days when women were subjugated and meant to just sit at home.

But today, the working woman has completely changed her world. She has changed a man’s perspective towards her.

Today a woman can make her own life and establish herself. They even outperform their male counterparts. Therefore, a man needs to treat a woman right and respect them.

This is also one of the concepts of Ranju Ki Betiyaan where one is taught that one should not respect a woman just because she’s the mother of his children.

A woman has the ability to carve her own path for her children and her family.

Ironically, the producers have given you the same wife (Reena Kapoor) as in Shakti.

I am glad to be working alongside her. She is a fabulous actor. I have been able to share some great scenes with her.

We have been very supportive of each other. We understand and help each other with dialogues and the emotions that need to be portrayed for particular scenes.

We share a great comfort level. If anytime, I go wrong or I need help or if she needs help, we are there for each other.

Our rapport is fantastic. I was ecstatic to know that I was working with Reena again.

Also, the fact that I am working with Deepshikha who is a very dear friend. Our set is always blooming with masti and fun moments.

You are a veteran in both films and TV. How does it feel?

Well, the industry has been very kind to me and offered me amazing work on both the media.

The audience has been very supportive of me. They have appreciated my work. I constantly feel the need to better myself.

It’s a process that I would work on for the rest of my life. I feel extremely blessed, lucky and happy.

Who would you give the credit for carving your own path away from that of your uncle Dilip Kumar?

I think it is the upbringing. When Yusuf uncle entered he industry he had nobody to support him.

He told me ‘Ayub make sure you too create your own path’. I could have easily told him to help me with his contacts.

But the very fact that he inspired me to work hard and achieve my own success, has got me to where I am today.

Among the films that you have acted, which are your five best ones?

I enjoyed doing Mrityudand, Gangaajal, Dil Chahta Hai, Mashooq and Salaami.

Why did you choose to opt out of films and concentrate more on movies?

There came a time, when work being offered in films was not substantial. I was lucky at that time to bag a serial called Muskaan by Naved ji. Naved ji gave me my first break. And after that there was no looking back.

Which are your three best serials?

Muskaan, Ek Haseena Thi and Shakti so far.

As an actor, to what extent do you feel that you have grown over the years?

I wouldn’t say that I have grown, I’d rather call it a learning. There was a different understanding when I started off and now there’s a different understanding. Most of the people face DIFFICULTY  in understanding the process.

Any upcoming projects?

You always hope that a serial runs for a very long time so it’s difficult to work on projects simultaneously.

What do you have to say about Dangal TV?

This is the first time that I am doing a show for Dangal TV channel. I feel privileged and hope that along with Rashmi Sharma, Dangal and I both achieve great heights.

Are you happy with the way your career has progressed?

It’s not only about the potential that an actor has. Potential makes sense only when an opportunity comes.

I am very grateful that I have been given many opportunities and I have achieved success in some and less success in some others.

But I feel blessed to have been celebrated for my success and not punished for my not so successful work.

Do you think the second innings in television is much better than the earlier innings in films?

No, I enjoyed my earlier innings in films also by doing path breaking films, I think Dil Chahta Hai is one of them.

I have been a part of numerous projects that can be written in golden letters. I do feel that there are far more capable actors that me, but I have been blessed.

People still remember me for my films as equally as they do for my serials. I have been blessed to have received projects that have propelled me to stardom as well as respect.