Iqbal Khan is Balaji's new hero

The hunt for Ekta Kapoor and Sony Entertainment Television's Angad is finally over. Iqbal Khan is the chosen one, finds Vickey Lalwani.

Iqbal - the ideal Angad?

Nearly 1000 contestants were tested for this character but the choice could not be made. The requirement of both the channel and the production house was a cross between Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan. The final choice is Iqbal Khan.

Neha will play the female lead.

The show called Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai (a change in spelling at the last moment may be inevitable!) is a love story involving Angad, Kripa, Prithvi.

While Neha (Kripa) believes in love, Iqbal (Angad)- a pop star who is into drugs and sex - does not. Eventually, he does fall for her but by then, she doesn’t believe in love. Amit Tandon (Sony's Indian Idol ousted contestant) will play Prithvi, Kripa's morale-boosting confidante.

Tandon was eliminated in the Gala round after singing the title song from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.

Says Iqbal, "First Sony approached me, saying they were starting their biggest show and needed a young looking guy to play the role of a star singer. Later, I got a call from Balaji as well".

"When it comes to television, I don't think there is anything bigger than Balaji. But yes, it is the biggest decision of my life so far. Actually I was offered Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii as well, but I preferred to do this role. I told them I was not too keen on the KGGK one.

Finally yesterday, I got a call from Balaji saying that Ekta Kapoor wanted to meet me. When I entered the Balaji office, I immediately realised what makes this production house such a fantastic place. I must say that the ladies in the Balaji office have amazing convincing power. They were very sweet to me. Their spirit of working is amazing,it looks like a strong family out there. I just can't wait to begin. I am very happy. 10 February was my birthday. 11 February, I was finalised for Angad's role," he smiles.

Iqbal Khan plays hero in last week's release Bullet- Ek Dhamaka- but is disturbed by the fact that Aseem Merchant (Priyanka Chopra's ex-boyfriend) did a lot of publicity for himself. "I think Aseem is insecure," he shrugs.

Rewind. Iqbal was not the first choice for the cop-turned-intelligence officer in Bullet- Ek Dhamaka. Jimmy Shergill had been signed on for the role. Actually Jimmy had even flown down to start the film in Bulgaria. A delayed start, which the maker Irfan Khan claimed was spent in research and homework, put off Jimmy completely. "Nothing seemed to be happening. I could not go on cooling my heels," he had said. That's how Iqbal got in.

Fast forward. On date, Angad, err, Iqbal is meeting the Balaji officials for his look, styling, etc.

Balaji's ongoing Kkoi Dil Mein Hai on Sony is fast coming to an end. The other Balaji show on the same channel Kkusum is sailing smoothly.