01 October,2026 04:47 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Adnan Khan (Picture via Instagram)
Adnan Khan, who is currently winning hearts in Mannat for his chemistry with Ayesha Singh, has had an eventful journey on television. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, the actor opened up about staying motivated during the demanding television schedule, his early struggles, and why he does not see television as a stepping stone to films.
Talking about Mannat, Adnan says the show's constantly changing tracks keep him invested. "It's one of the first shows where I've experienced such different arcs. One of the biggest challenges leads of a television show face is motivation," he says, pointing out that actors can shoot "25 days" a month for nearly 12 hours a day. "It's not my first rodeo so I knew the motivation is based on me," he adds.
Adnan says unexpected sequences help him stay excited. "I did a sequence where I was drowning in water but I couldn't move. I was paralyzed. I get so thrilled with these kind of action sequences," he says. For him, the unpredictability of television is a major driving force. "There is a curveball the writers and the producers throw our way. It's something very unique and very interesting. That just drives me up."
The actor admits that monotony can creep in after months of shooting, but he focuses on the process rather than the outcome. "I do not concentrate on the result. I just look at the process," he says. "Doing a good scene in a day drives me up and I'm back up on my horse. It's a good moment from a purely craft perspective."
Reflecting on his early career, Adnan says he did not have several opportunities waiting for him. "I wasn't really good to get started. I wasn't really good. So it wasn't like I had like millions of options in front of me. That's the truth. I got lucky," he says, recalling how playing a Maulana in his first show worked in his favour.
Today, he remains open to every medium. "I'm just on the cusp of okay... I'm learning," he says. "If I'm getting television... then that's the work I need to do. And I love it." While he would take up films or series, he says enjoyment matters more than the medium. Having enjoyed Kathaa Ankahee and his current show, he adds, "whatever happens in front of me at that moment, if I enjoy it, I'll do it."
On Kathaa Ankahee, Adnan credits its success to teamwork: "A group of good people got together and got to make that show. That's the reason it turned out pretty decent. Pretty good."
