Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; July 8, 2016)

This year, so far, has been a roller-coaster ride for Sikandar Kher. He made a comeback of sorts in Bollywood with his February release, Tere Bin Laden: Dead Or Alive and won applause. Then he got engaged to Anil and Sunita Kapoor’s niece, but the wedding was abruptly called off in May.

Notwithstanding the sour episode, the actor insists that he still shares a warm rapport with the Kapoors. Set to make his TV debut with the second season of Anil’s desi version of 24, Sikandar says, “I showed Anil uncle some rushes from my film which he liked. He said he had a role for me in 24 and when we discussed it, I realised it was a big opportunity for me. I am the main villain in the show. Although I didn’t have specific plans to venture into television, it was an offer I could barely pass up. I wanted to try speaking in a Gorakhpuri dialect in the show. The makers agreed to my proposal and tweaked my character sketch.”

But with the recent events in his personal life, did he feel awkward being on the same set as Anil? Not at all, he claims. “He is the most professional person and a father figure to me. Nothing will change that. We feed off each other’s energy on the set. His enthusiasm is contagious and he is always on his toes. That’s motivating. He is family regardless of whatever happened,” Sikandar signs off.