Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; October 2, 2017)

As much as he hates being known as underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's relative, Zubair Khan cannot run away from his identity. Khan, who is Dawood's sister and gangster Haseena Parkar's son-in-law, is one of the contestants on Bigg Boss 11, that kickstarted last night. Speaking to mid-day, ahead of entering the house, Khan said that he had agreed to be part of the controversial reality show with a single motive – to reconnect with his estranged children. "Around 10 months ago, my wife left with our son and daughter, and didn't return. Since then, my in-laws have tortured me by not allowing me to meet my children. Bigg Boss is the only way I can connect with my kids. Since they watch the show religiously, I decided to use it as a platform to reach out to them," said Khan, as he joined the line-up of contestants that reportedly include television stars Hiten Tejwani, Shilpa Shinde, Hina Khan and Niti Taylor, among others.

Khan said that the show would also enable him to tell the world his side of the story. "I want the government to take notice of my plight and help me during my difficult times." A film producer, Khan admitted that being associated with Dawood's family affected his life in more ways than he could imagine. However, things came to a head when his children were snatched away from him. "I am not afraid of any of them [his in-laws] nor am I afraid of dying. My in-laws will have to send my kids to me."

Tired of being perceived in negative light, Khan wants to carve his own identity with this show. "I don't want to be known as Haseena Parkar's son-in-law, nor do I have anything to do with Dawood Ibrahim. I am a self-made man and have my own identity."