Balaji Telefilms is literally my ‘second home’ – Manish Khanna

Manish Khanna, the talented actor has had a good run of late, with his roles in Naagin and Pardes Mein Hai Meraa Dil getting him great appreciation. For Manish, Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms is literally his ‘second home’. Not all TV buffs will know that Manish actually started as an employee way back in Balaji Telefilms, and that was when the Czarina felt that he will make for a great actor!! And the rest is destiny, as Manish feels.. Says Manish, “I started working in the year 1994 with Balaji Telefilms. I was associated with production, direction as well as editing for two years with Balaji. In the year 1996, Ekta Kapoor advised me to join the cast of her show, Maano Ya Na Maano. She was of the thought that I have it in me to pull it off as an actor. And this is how my acting career started and I am certainly doing a good job till now (smiles).” There was no looking back for Manish after his acting debut in Maano Ya Na Maano, as he got offered challenging roles in shows made by Balaji Telefilms, Kahiin Kissi Roz, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Pavitra Rishta and much more. He’s also been part of few movies and many more shows outside the Balaji family. Ask Manish and he claims, “Kahiin Kissi Roz was my first big break on TV, and I am still grateful to Ekta for it. After that, I was part of many Balaji shows, and that only proved me better as an actor. But the icing on the cake has to be Naagin for me. The show was huge and my role was iconic. Post Naagin, Ekta offered me yet another different role in Pardes Mein Hai Meraa Dil. And now I am going to get back to Naagin 2. So it’s a supremely blessed feeling.” Talking about Naagin, Manish was not even the first choice for the role of Anky Raheja that propelled him to the peak of success. As we know, actor Sanjay Nath was to play the role, but an unexpected turn of events paved way for Manish to play the part. So we can say that destiny really played a role in his success story. “Yes, my introduction in Naagin was indeed weird. I got a call at about 12 in the night, and was asked to catch the 5 am flight the next morning and reach Ranathambore for my shoot for Naagin. I never thought I would bag the role. It is true that I was destined to get the role. Nobody thought the role will become such a huge hit.” Manish is also a director in addition to being an actor. Not all know that he teams up with eminent Director Santram Verma to direct shows on TV. “Yes, when I am not acting, I am directing. I direct shows for Santram Verma and we are a team. We have directed Jodhaa Akbar, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hain, Ruk Jaana Nahin in the past.” So what’s closer to his heart – acting or direction? The talented man answers, “I enjoy doing both. It is always fun acting, while direction gives you more satisfaction. It is like you are the captain of the ship and handle everything.” Reminiscing on his overall journey, Manish states that he is presently enjoying the best phase of his career. “The phase that is going on has to be my best. My character of Ankush in Naagin blossomed very well. The man had various shades, like negativity, anger and even comedy. If I had not managed to do well as Anky, it would have been a disgrace for me.” What’s more? We hear that Manish is a huge star down South!! Ask him about it and he laughs saying, “Yes, Sudha Chandran told me about it. Naagin is now being aired in Tamil on Sun TV. And she told me that my character is the most loved one there and that I am a star (smiles). You would be surprised to hear that Naagin rakes a huge TRP of about 19 down South. It is also a huge hit in West Bengal.” So does Manish feel that the role in Naagin has been his best work? “Yes it has to be the role of a lifetime for me.” Talking about his character in Ekta’s new show Pardes Mein Hai Meraa Dil, Manish avers, “It’s a totally different character in Pardes. It’s more of an English character. The show is very much different with a great cast. The taking of the show is very different; the accent and mannerism of my character to way too unique. As an actor, I always try to keep it simple. I don’t act and try to keep it normal. Even when Ekta narrated the role to me, I was asked to be very natural in my character.” Finally, on his surprise comeback to Naagin 2, the actor exclaims, “I feel supreme right now!! I am excited to get back to Naagin 2. In fact, even before I started shoot, there has been a wave of happiness going on the Naagin set. Sudha Chandran is happy; Mouni (Roy) is ecstatic and Adaa Khan has been thrilled. However, we will miss shooting with Arjun (Bijlani) in Naagin 2.” Here’s wishing Manish a great career ahead!!