Adaa Khan: Power of positive thinking

THE TV STAR TALKS ACTING, LOCKDOWN AND BIGG BOSS

by ASJAD NAZIR

A GLITTERING career has seen small-screen star Adaa Khan shine brightly in a wide array of projects and the biggest flashes of brilliance have been when she has taken on a challenging role.

The elegant actress has won acclaim for winning performances in shows that include the smash-hit seasons of Naagin, Vish Ya Amrit: Sitara and Behenein. With more big projects on the way, she is already being linked to the next season of India’s most popular reality TV show Bigg Boss. Perhaps her greatest achievement has been doing things on her own terms and not being afraid to take on new challenges.

Eastern Eye caught up with Adaa Khan to discuss her acting journey, inspirations, being changed by lockdown and something that not many people know about her.

You seem to have done everything on your own terms. How important is that to you?

It feels great to do everything on your own terms, so that you are not under pressure from anyone else. When you are working, you are not just working, but should also be enjoying yourself.

You have done a wide array of interesting projects, but which have meant the most to you?

Yes, I have done a lot of interesting projects and all of them are very important to me because each one is like your own kid when you do a project. The character is your baby – the way you make it. So everything is special for me, but Naagin is a show that gave great heights to my career, so I would consider that one as special. But all the roles I have done are very close to my heart and very special to me.

Is the biggest challenge finding great projects?

Yes, it definitely is a challenge to find great projects because we are in this industry and there is great competition, and great talent out there. So it is hard to get big projects.

What can we expect next from you?

I myself don’t know. I would just like to say that what you can expect next from me is good work, inshallah, and as soon as it happens, you will definitely get to know about it. Maybe TV or the web, you never know, so I will keep you updated.

What do you enjoy watching as a viewer?

Well, what I enjoy watching depends on my mood. When I am not feeling that ok, I like watching something fun. Friends is my favourite go-to show when I am feeling low. If I am in a nice mood, I like to watch something interesting, with intrigue. I’ve been watching a lot of shows based on the mafia lately. During lockdown I have watched a lot of old Hollywood classic movies. I enjoyed them to the core. I love watching Al Pacino, Robert de Niro and Clint Eastwood. So what I watch just depends on my mood.

Is it true that you have been offered Bigg Boss 15 as has been widely reported?

I wasn’t offered it, but still it was all over the media. I am a private person, and you need lots of guts to be a part of this show – which, as of now, I don’t have.

What inspires you?

What inspires me a lot is just hard work, staying positive and living for the day. Being really positive about everything inspires me because in the times we are living in, everything has just become so stressful and nothing seems right. Everyone has become super negative in their thoughts, so it’s very important that we all stay very positive, especially during these challenging times. I try and do the same.

Has lockdown changed you in any way?

Lockdown has definitely changed me, and I think a lot of people too. We have all learned a lot, seen a lot and know that at the end of the day, it’s your health and your family’s health which is the priority above every other thing. It has created a close bond between families, and friends and we’ve realised these luxuries are just temporary – what matters most are your loved ones. It has also taught me the ways of keeping myself going and staying positive in spite of all the challenges we face, and how to not be very anxious about what’s going to happen next. Everyone is facing anxiety, but we have learned to deal with anxiety in a better way. Lockdown has enabled us to learn who our close people are and who are really there for us. You have spoken about staying fit ahead of having a bikini body.

Tell us a little more about that?

Yes, I did say that staying fit is more important than having a bikini body. I believe that your health comes first, and then you can aim for a bikini body.

Tell us something that not many people know about you?

I think everyone knows I am a very introverted person and pretty shy, so I like to keep my life a little private. What others don’t know about me is that I am a very family-oriented person. My family comes first before anything in life; even before work, I would give priority to my family. That is like the most important thing for me. I am a complete family girl.

Why do you love being an actor?

I love my profession and that’s why I feel when I am working, I actually don’t work because I love what I do. I love playing different roles, characters and especially a challenging character which is really strong, as that sends a message to people. Even if I am playing a negative role, it’s good when people love to hate you. If you play a positive character, the audience should love you for that role. So I like making people feel. Portraying emotions gives me a high in life.