06 March,2026 11:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Iqbal Khan
Actor Iqbal Khan says the holy month of Ramzan always brings a mix of reflection, discipline and warm family memories. As the fasting period reaches its halfway mark this year, the actor opened up about his experiences with fasting, childhood memories of the festival and the special dishes that make the month memorable for him.
Recalling a recent conversation about fasting, Khan shared a humorous yet humbling experience. "There is an interesting story about Ramzan," he said. "Somebody asked me in the starting of Ramzan that do you fast? I said, yes, I fast. I don't remember when I didn't fast last time."
When the person asked how he manages the routine, the actor said he confidently replied, "You don't have to break stones. I fast." However, things did not go exactly as planned this year. "After the third day of fasting, I started getting muscle cramps in my back, lower back and hamstring. And I couldn't fast today. Oh boy," he said with a laugh.
Reflecting on the moment, Khan admitted it was a reminder to stay humble. "Can you imagine? I mean, you just kind of⦠I was trying to be cool, thinking that it's okay, why can't we fast? It took confidence, I said, you don't have to break stones. And just after two days, I started getting muscle cramps with dehydration and stomach issues and I couldn't fast today. That's a quick lesson of humility," he said. He added thoughtfully, "God gives you even more time. If you're lucky, that is. If not, then he doesn't give you lessons."
The actor also fondly remembered how the festival felt during his childhood. "My childhood memories, mom⦠by the time we all used to get up, she would always set up everything," he said. "Everything we just had to go and eat. It was pretty cool. She would do everything, absolutely everything."
Among the many treats prepared at home, one dish always stood out for him. "My favorite would be whether I would fast or not, mom would make phirni. And that would be my favorite," he shared.
Khan recalled how excited he once was to start fasting as a child. "When I was like six, seven years old, around that time, I wanted to fast. I was really kicked about fasting," he said. His mother, however, had a playful way of easing him into the practice. "She used to tell me, you know, you eat your breakfast and fast till lunch. And then eat your lunch and fast till naashta time. And then eat your naashta and fast till dinner."
Today, the spirit of Ramzan continues in his own home. Speaking about iftaar preparations, Khan said his wife keeps things simple yet delicious. "In our house, basically, because we don't really indulge in so much trying this and that during iftaar," he explained.
He added, "What Sneha does is, that happens only during Ramzan, is she makes like really cool fast food, like really healthy chicken and vegetable rolls and stuff like that, which are light, but at the same time fills you up also."
And when it comes to desserts, his childhood favourites still top the list. "I love phirni. I also love the normal, regular custard," he said with a smile.
