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The
man reached the pinnacle of glory with the country's first reality
based crime-series, 'India's Most Wanted', only to touch the nadir
with his own name being added to the wanted list, when he was charged
with killing his wife Anju for dowry- a death which he maintained
was suicide.
SUHAIB
ILYASI in conversation with VICKEY LALWANI:
I
remember you were very possessive about 'India's Most Wanted'…
(Interrupts)India's Most Wanted had helped resolve approximately
66 pending cases, some of which ended in encounters. It could have
been easily more, but alas! The show had created a stir (65 episodes
on Zee TV and later 28 episodes on Doordarshan) and some people
wanted me out of the way. Anyway, my current show on India TV has
picked up very well. Already 21 criminals have been nabbed.
Have
some changes been incorporated in the new show 'Farar Kaun' on India
TV?
It's a totally new package. Six days a week, we show short 10-minute
capsules of six different criminals, followed by a detailed story
on Sunday evening on any one of those six.
What
is the modus operandi?
I have a team of journalists who investigate and study cases
in police stations. They pick up the interesting ones and then we
dramatise it just a bit to make it viable for viewing.
Why
did you go to India TV? Why not any other channel?
I have a very good equation with Rajat Sharma.
Law
offenders get nabbed due to your show. Have you received any threats
to your life?
Lots. We are going to telecast one threat that I received recently.
What
is the current status on your film 'Kamyab Raasta'?
It is about 50 per cent complete; a story of a man who overcomes
all the hurdles in life.
You
have some very hot kissing scenes with the new heroine...
(Interrupts) I don't think they are as hot as they are being
made out to be (smiles). But things are changing and we need to
change too. I am sure that this is a transient phase, though.
You
had to leave 'India's Most Wanted' after you were accused in the…
(Interrupts) I knew this was coming. That was a terrible period.
My wife actually committed suicide. She was depressed for a while,
since I was unable to give her time. Plus she had a history of hurting
herself. Some pundit had in fact told us that she did not have a
long life. That added to her stress. I was wrongly accused.
Go
on…
Anyway, of late, I have gathered evidence against my mother-in-law
and sister-in-law that they had implicated me falsely. I have managed
to record some of the conversation between the two of them. I have
formally informed the Court. This would help me prove my innocence.
It's just a matter of time. I have already obtained the custody
of my daughter Ahliya. My father-in-law and brother-in-law are on
my side.
Future
plans?
I am entering production. I (Ahliya Productions) have a strategic
alliance with K Sera Sera and we'll soon be coming up with some
TV shows.
Never
thought of marrying again?
'Abhi to dar lagta hai shaadi se'. On date, I have a female
companion but I don't want to reveal her identity.
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