Hina Khan, who recently completed 12 years in the industry, spoke to us about how she evolved over the years, the time she left Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (YRKKH), risks that she has taken and what’s next for her.

Hina shares that as an actor, she can never feel content. “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, “I have received so much love and attention from my fans. These years have been a learning experience, whether it was about doing digital films, feature film, TV, launching shows, walking 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 began her career 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.

The actress shares that it was not easy to break away from the image when she left the show. “When I left TV, it was not an easy journey. It wasn’t easy to break through or break that image or stereotypes that came with it, you get typecast. The longer you play a role, the more typecast you get. And I had done it for the longest time, so it was very difficult to break that image of a bahu and come out as a fashionista. But I didn’t give up, you just have to keep working,” says Hina.

Talking about her recognition and her work, Hina says, “I want to win every international award and get recognised everywhere for my hard work. I don’t think an actor would want anything else.”

Hina says taking risks is the 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 forgone huge amounts of money to be where I am today. It gives me a lot of confidence that in future if I want to do something, then I can take that risk,” she points out.

Hina feels that the perception of TV actors is definitely changing. “We are not treated the way we used to be. For 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.”

Hina shares that she is awaiting the release of her film, Lines. “I have music videos, want to do big shows and work with good directors. I am aiming for a huge project, I want to work with brilliant actors, so I wish and pray that I get amazing projects in 2021, that is my wish,” she concludes.