Saba Khan, known for her stint in Bigg Boss 12 with her sister Somi Khan, is one of the most popular faces in the music video space and television. Before pursuing a career as an actress, she worked in the hospitality industry for a few years. Saba left her fans pleasantly surprised with her drastic transformation and now, she is a hit among youngsters who are simply loving her music videos.
Now, in an exclusive conversation with PeepingMoon, Saba opened up about her transformation, the process of grooming herself and how life has been after Bigg Boss 12. Recently, she made headlines after rumours of her dating Bigg Boss 15 contestant Umar Riaz surfaced. Reacting to it, the actress said she shares a great bond with Umar and likes him as a person.
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Excerpts from the interview:
Before Bigg Boss 12, you worked in the hospitality industry. What prompted you to pursue acting?
I was a hotelier before I decided to follow my passion. My sister Somi and I auditioned for Bigg Boss 12 and got selected. Though our family members weren't confident about our selection, we were sure about it. From there, my showbiz journey started.
You started as a commoner in Bigg Boss 12. How has life been after the show?
It’s been fabulous and I am getting to learn through experiences. It is a challenging industry and with the right guidance and the right attitude, we are doing well. People are showing confidence in me and it is humbling to know that youngsters are looking up to me as their inspiration. I come from a regular middle-class family with no Godfathers in the industry. The main challenge was giving auditions and grooming myself for that.
After Bigg Boss 12, you went through a drastic transformation…
People saw a slightly healthier version of me in Bigg Boss 12. I was 15 kilos heavier. I saw myself on the show and decided to get fit. I took training in mixed martial arts, went to the gym and followed a diet to cut down the kilos. When I was in Bigg Boss 12, some contestants felt I looked older than my age. Now, I am receiving compliments from friends, co-stars etc. Along with that, I learnt how to do my own makeup.
Bigg Boss gives you instant fame but there are some repercussions too. Have you ever seen the ill-side of instant fame?
It’s not only for doing Bigg Boss 12 but in general too. There are people who like to troll you for certain things. They end up saying nasty things that affect you. I feel there should be some kind of censorship on social media so make sure people are not able to troll or abuse you. People cross their limits and target family members too. They even attack you for wearing certain clothes. I have been often compared to Sana Khan. People have told me, “Look at Sana Khan. She has changed her lifestyle. Even you are a Muslim, so why don’t you do it too?” At times, such negativity does affect me. At the end of the day, they are trolls who don’t even have a proper profile on Instagram. I have stopped taking such things seriously.
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You've been signing music videos lately. Why?
The era of the ‘90s is back and people love watching music videos. Youngsters want to make reels with these music videos, that’s why they are in demand.
Are you planning to sign more TV shows or web series?
Yes, it depends on the script. I am working on a web project and as of now, I can’t disclose the name of the OTT platform. I’m yet to get the final confirmation. If the project is good and not vulgar, I’m ready to do it.
Rumours are rife that ex-contestants of Bigg Boss are called for the 15th season as Challengers. Are you invited too?
No, I haven’t received any offer yet. There is not much happening in Bigg Boss 15 right now. Koi jaan nahi hai show mein. I had participated in the show and I feel something is missing in this season. Celebrities are image-conscious. If the makers contact me, I’ll definitely do it.
There were rumours of you dating Umar Riaz. What’s do you have to say about it?
Umar Riaz and I share a great bond. We have known each other since Bigg Boss 13. We like each other as humans. That’s all I can say for now.
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