Could’ve Worked Wonders: Hina Khan on Losing a Role Due to ‘Dusky Complexion'

Hina Khan participated in Bigg Boss 11 and Khatron Ke Khilaadi 8 and emerged as the runner-up in both.

Actor Hina Khan talks about a role she was rejected for.

(Photo Courtesy: Instagram/ @realhinakhan)

Actor Hina Khan recalled an incident where she didn’t get a role as a Kashmiri woman owing to her ‘dusky complexion’. Hina, who is from Jammu & Kashmir, said that she could’ve essayed the role well since she can also speak the language well. While she didn’t name the project, Hina added that the team reasoned that she ‘didn’t look Kashmiri enough’.

Hina Khan told ETimes, “There are times where I probably don’t like the story or I don’t want to do that kind of a character for the time being, but there also are times where you probably test for it, and you are very keen that it works, but it doesn’t work out for various reasons.”

She recalled the incident of being passed on for the role, and said, “I can’t talk about the project, but I remember I could not crack a project because I didn’t look Kashmiri enough. I am Kashmiri and I can fluently speak the language but I didn’t get cast because my complexion is dusky and I am not extremely fair. That’s what the team and character demanded. I really felt bad.”

Hina Khan added, “When you know the language so well, probably you could have worked wonders in that character, but I didn’t get cast only because I don’t look Kashmiri (laughs). I never lose hope, I don’t give up.”

Hina Khan made her acting debut as Akshara Singhania in the show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and went on to essay the role of the iconic villain Komolika in the reboot Kasautii Zindagi Kay.

Talking about her role as Komolika, Hina said, “I think after Akshara, the first negative character I played was Komolika. Not to blow my own horn, but people were blown away. They found pure performance, swag and adaa that attracted them towards the character, other than she just being negative.”

She participated in Bigg Boss 11 and finished as the first runner-up. Hina Khan made her Bollywood debut and was last seen in the music video for Main Bhi Barbaad with Angad Bedi.