Hina Khan: I have given up on huge amounts of money to be where I am today

Recently, Hina Khan posted on her social media handles that she will be completing 12 years in the industry in January. While congratulatory messages started pouring in as soon as she posted this, we got in touch with the actress to talk about her journey. Hina, who became a household name with the show, 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai', talks about how she evolved over the years, the time she left the show, risks that she has taken and what’s next for her. By: Riya Sharma

Hina Khan says taking risks is key. "Surviving in this industry is so important, I believe in taking baby steps and that’s what I am doing. I have taken risks, I have given up on huge amounts of money to be where I am today and I am so proud of it. It gives me a lot of confidence that in future if I want to do something, then I can take that risk but I have to be wise and understand if I need to take that risk. But I am glad with my experience and journey. I am looking forward to another 15 years now,” she points out.

Hina feels that the perception towards TV actors is definitely changing. “We are not treated the way we used to be. Eight years, I went to my sets, came back home and slept. I did not know about fashion trends, I did not know what was happening in the outside world. It was like I was born again when I left my show. I had to start again from the beginning - how I am supposed to look, what I am supposed to wear and say," says Hina, adding, "But now things have changed, people’s perceptions have changed. Now I am given equal importance like other Bollywood celebs, whether it is about how I am dressed, my hairstyle or my vacations."

Talking about her international recognition and her work, Hina says, “I want to win every international award, get recognised everywhere for my hard work. I don’t think an actor would want anything else and I want to do good content. I am glad and I could do all of this because of the risks I have taken. I have been so lucky that I could prove myself right. God has been kind."

Hina shares that as an actor, she can never feel content, “but this is just the beginning. “I want to step into films and I did a couple of them and got quite a good response. The kind of work, the kind of projects I chose, I am quite happy with them. I am looking forward to doing a lot more in future," says Hina. She adds, "These 12 years have been very fruitful. I have received so much love, attention from my fans and well-wishers. These years have been a learning experience, whether it was about doing digital films, feature film, TV, launching shows, waking red carpets, walking international red carpets, winning awards and now an international recognition in an American film festival where I won the award for Best Actress. This journey has been amazing."

Hina started her journey with the show, 'YRKKH', and feels proud to be associated with a show that has been one of the longest running shows on TV. “When you take up a project, you never think about how it would turn out later. I know I started with Akshara (her character in the show), and she became larger than life and I am so proud of it. I did it for eight long years and considering how it works now, it is very difficult for actors to continue doing a show for such a long time," says Hina. She adds, "But Rishta is still doing great, it feels nice to know that it is doing so well whether I am a part of it or not."