Larger than Life

A veteran now,Khan’s consciously tried to associate himself with television serials that promise to be different. “That are remembered,and hence my criteria is whether the production is going to be on a grand scale…how lavish will it be,how big is the role,how big is the impact. Television serials are shortlived,and to gauge public memory for long you need to dive into something that’s larger than life,” justifies Shahbaz. Be it the heroic romantic lead in Chandrakanta,a revolutionist in Yug,a historical character in Tipu Sultan,the lover boy in Chandni; Shahbaz’s always tried to make a lasting impression. In fact,for Mitwa,the actor’s grown his beard and fashioned it in a royal cut. “Makes me look big and real,” he twirls his moustache adding how Mitwa’s different from the rest because it’s got a year’s storyline’s ready. “The serial won’t go stale like others. It will keep moving,” he says.

While he still has to try his hand at television comedy (he’s just done one comedy show for Rajshri called Akbar Birbal,that too for the internet),Khan’s played the comic villain inn films. Speaking of which,he feels that the days of the villain have gone. “There is no such thing as a negative character on Indian cinema. Everything is in shades of grey,and now the hero wants to do everything. Heck,he’ll even get to play the heroine one day!” laughs Khan. In the meantime,he’s looking forward to Maruti Mera Dost,and Raj Babbar’s magnum opus on the telly in which he plays the greatest Sikh ever,Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. Here’s to big stuff!

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