29 October,2026 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti Bagla
Zaheer and Sonakshi (Pic/Instagram)
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are known for their playful chemistry and adorable social media moments. However, the couple took their fans by surprise after starring in the thriller Tu Hai Meri Kiran, which stars the latter as a possessive lover. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Zaheer opens up about the film, his relationship with Sonakshi, and his Bollywood debut backed by Salman Khan.
The actor opens up about the effort that went into bringing his character to life. He reveals, "We shot a lot. We shot extra stuff and, on the edit, we had to remove certain things to simplify it or to make it less obvious sometimes. I did a lot of workshops and I worked really hard on this character because it's one opportunity that you get sometimes to do a character like this and you don't want to mess it up."
Talking about how his chemistry with wife Sonakshi Sinha translated on screen, Zaheer reveals that they consciously wanted to explore a different dynamic instead of playing the cute, romantic and sweet couple audiences associate with them off-screen. He says, "If we did what we do off-screen or we do on Instagram, you'll feel like you're in a theatre scrolling on reels and you'll want to be like swipe up." He adds that they had received several offers to play a cute and romantic couple, but this project stood out because of its shock value.
Zaheer also reveals how his relationship with Sonakshi Sinha evolved on screen during the shoot of Tu Hai Meri Kiran, as their characters go from being engaged to married. "So half the film, we were engaged and married for the other half." Heaping praise on Sonakshi's acting skills, Zaheer gushed, "She is just so seasoned in what she does."
Speaking about possessiveness in relationships, Zaheer believes it depends on the equation between partners and how secure they make each other feel. He says, "A lot of people are just inherently obsessive and possessive. But I think in a normal relationship like me and Sona, I feel it's your partner who can make you possessive or not."
Addressing the idea of equality in a relationship, Zaheer agrees that Sonakshi is superior. Explaining why, he said, "I don't believe men and women are equal. I believe women are way more superior because one can never be stronger than a woman who gave you birth."
Speaking about the trolling they may face as a couple, Zaheer says they do not pay much attention to it. "I don't see anything bad. I don't feel we get trolled that much. And if we feel, we don't pay attention," he says.
Zaheer recalls how he got his Bollywood break after Salman Khan spotted him dancing at his sister's wedding. He says the opportunity came unexpectedly and remains something he is grateful for. "I was dancing somewhere at a wedding. My sister's wedding, and Salman Khan happened to be there and offer me a film. So, it worked out that way. I got my chance. And it literally fell in my lap. And I don't take that for granted ever. I don't think there's anybody else like that. In the industry right now, if you think there must be two or three people who were spotted like this. I'm glad I'm blessed," he says.
