Some may remember her as Akshara in YRKKH, while others admire her for her fashion statement; regardless, actress Hina Khan has numerous admirers around the world. She decided to make a giant leap into cinema after being the reigning television bahu for more than eight years. Hina announced her entry in cinema with Vikram Bhatt's Hacked and followed it up with web ventures like Damaged 2, Smartphone, and Wishlist and more.
In 2019, the 33-year-old made headlines when she graced the Cannes red carpet to promote her film Lines. The project debuted on Voot on Thursday as part of its extensive Film Fest. Hina Khan talks about the film, co-producing it with boyfriend Rocky Jaiswal, and collaborating with iconic actress Farida Jalal in an exclusive interview with one of the news channels.The former Bigg Boss winner also discusses the drawbacks of being a celebrity, discrimination towards TV actresses in films, and coping with the death of her father.
Read her exclusive interview:
Lines has finally arrived after a two-year wait. How are you feeling now? 
Was it one of the reasons you and Rocky agreed to make the film?
We backed it because we were enthralled by the story. I was the first to hear the concept. Rocky agreed to co-produce it when I told him about it. It's an incredible narrative that's been brilliantly told. It is not a business enterprise, but rather a realistic portrayal of raw emotions. It's not based on a genuine story, but it is based on anecdotal evidence. There are some truly raw feelings expressed, and everything is said just as it should be.
In the trailer, we also had a peek of Rocky; how did he come to be? Also, how does he vary as a producer from a boyfriend?
(Laughs) Don't even ask how he ended up in the movie. We were looking for an army officer to utter this statement, but we couldn't find one. We tried our hardest to persuade him to do that part because he has the persona of an officer. I was on the verge of running behind him to force him to say yes. Rocky is a demanding producer, and we both take our duties extremely seriously.However, now that he realises how much effort I put into my career, we have discovered a common ground.
Tell us more about how you became Nazia and how you worked with Farida Jalal on the set?
In terms of appearance, Nazia is a simple rural girl, and I opted out of wearing make-up for the film. Before we went on floors, I spent time with locals to see how they speak and act, so that I could bring out that simple side. I even rode a bike, so it was a lot of fun for me. It was an honour to share the screen with Farida ji. You won't believe how up to date she is on everything going on in the industry. She can even tell you what you wore to the airport (laughs). She may not be on social media, but she is up to date on everything and has seen every movie. It was a pleasure to work with her, and I enjoyed seeing her perform even when I wasn't shooting.
When you walked the Cannes red carpet, Lines put you on the map around the world, and the comment "Chandivali to Cannes" caused quite a stir. Has anything changed since then for TV actors?
Things have changed for me, and I'm not sure about others. It had an impact and made a difference, but I must admit that it wasn't only due to Cannes. It also has a lot to do with the types of projects you work on, your personality, and how you network. Also, in today's world, the type of stuff you post on social media. As a result, all of these aspects matter. I still have a long way to go, but I'm working hard every day to improve myself.
Has there ever been any gender bias, particularly in terms of remuneration?
To be honest, I haven't gotten there yet. I'm still taking small, baby moves forward. So I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to comment. I believe I will be able to relate my experience once I arrive (Abhi to bas chote mote paise mil jate hainRight now, I get my small amount) .
I've been repeating for a year that I'm taking a break from watching television. With my very first project, the medium shaped who I am, and Akshara, my character, is still adored by many. However, I have worked so hard to become known as Hina Khan, and I am grateful that people recognise me for who I am.I still get requests for TV shows, and it pains me to say no to everyone, but for the time being, I'd like to concentrate on OTT and the digital area. It takes less time and allows you to explore a wider range of variety.
While you've always been outspoken, how do you feel about celebrities being expected to speak out on every subject, whether it's social, political, or current events?
It isn't required in any way. Even I am frequently questioned as to why I did not make a comment on something. We certainly feel emotions when something happens, or when someone passes away, or when we are getting married, but it is not always necessary to tweet about everything.It doesn't mean you don't have a choice or that it contradicts popular opinion; it just means you don't want to put it out there. You need time to react occasionally; we aren't robots who can react quickly. When my father passed away, I felt the same way. I didn't have the strength to publish a picture on social media for more than two months.Before we can be active on social media, we all need time.
From your father's death to you testing positive for Covid-19, the last few months have been extremely difficult for you. Where did you get the strength to cope up with everything?
Pata nahi (I'm not sure). I don't want to discuss what occurred, but I did learn something: the art of distraction. Even in the worst of circumstances, we humans learn to move on and desire to be distracted. And, to be honest, it hurts. You want to think about what happened but don't, which is really painful. But, at the end of the day, one must progress. I believe I have mastered the art of distraction over the last few months.