Ekavali Khanna has been quietly but steadily building an impressive body of work since the start of her career. January 2026 has been especially rewarding for the actor. She was seen in Ikkis as Maryam, the wife of Brigadier Jaan Mohammad Nisar (Jaideep Ahlawat), a role that also gave her the opportunity to share screen space with the late Dharmendra. And less than two weeks later, she made an equally striking impression in Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web as Mrs Syed. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Ekavali opened up about both projects, her process, and what’s been driving her journey so far. With her lovely voice and a warmth punctuated by easy laughter, she made the chat as engaging as it was memorable.
January 2026 is a special month for you. You’ll celebrate your birthday on January 30. Meanwhile, both Ikkis and Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web have been loved a lot. Your thoughts?
(Smiles) All the actors put in a lot of work. We wait patiently for the right roles. When we get the opportunity, we work on it. So, it's a long-drawn process. When it successfully reaches the audience, that's the moment when you feel that it's all been worth it and that it has been accepted well. Also, it's about how you feel when you see your work and whether you feel you have been honest or not. In this regard, Ikkis has really made me feel good, as a story and everything it stood for. It was a great opportunity. I was also satisfied with the truthfulness with which I was able to deliver it.
Meanwhile, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web is hugely mounted. It's a Neeraj Pandey show, which puts it in a different league. He has his own domain, and that also comes with a lot of pressure.
How did you bag the role in Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web?
The casting director, Vicky Sidana, revealed that they wanted me specifically to do the role. Anyway, I jumped at the offer; after all, who doesn't want to work with Neeraj ji? When I had seen the character on paper, I had envisaged that it would leave a mark. But I did not imagine that people would receive it so well. Her persona and the way it's projected have been noticed. I'll give a lot of credit to Falguni Thakore, who designed the look of the character. It's not that I have pages and pages of dialogues or one elaborate scene. It is just how brilliantly the director has positioned me in the series that people have been full of appreciation; that's what keeps us going.
I wished to see you more in the series…
(Smiles) Well, looking at the popularity, one can be hopeful that this series will go forward. However, a lot of people did mention to me that they would have loved to see me more in the series. I am thankful that this opportunity fell into my lap.
One thing I am really happy about is that I am not typecast. That’s quite a rare thing in Bollywood. I have established that with my efforts all along. For instance, I also worked in Kohrra and it was diametrically opposite to Taskaree. It is very exciting for an actor that I haven’t boxed. It’s the casting directors and directors who have the power to define you. Hence, I have every reason to be grateful because the same directors or casting directors are casting me in different kinds of roles.
Tell us about working on Ikkis
Ikkis has been a very wholesome experience. Sriram Raghavan is an icon in terms of storytelling and his process as a filmmaker. Every actor would benefit from working with someone who has such a brilliant mind. He gives his actors the freedom and also knows how to use them to their optimum potential. Working with Jaideep was wonderful. However, the highpoint was that I got a chance to work with Dharam ji (smiles). Every time I think of him, I always feel a warmth in my heart.
What did Dharmendra tell you? At the BH OTT India Fest 2025, Jaideep Ahlawat revealed that Dharmendra placed his hand on his face and said, ‘Kitna sona munda hai tu’…
It happened in front of me. Jaideep almost collapsed right there. The entire day, I was teasing Jaideep about it (laughs). I would ask him, ‘Are you alright?’ or ‘Do I need to call the emergency services?’! He was just so overwhelmed. That is how Dharam ji was. He was beyond an actor. Of course, he was arguably the most handsome man in the history of Indian cinema. But that’s just one part of him. Woh bahut diler the. He was so magnanimous; in fact, he was a complete man in the way he spoke about relationships, mother and child, etc. He talked about his mother and his time in Sahnewal. He figured out that I was a Punjabi girl and hence, talked to me in Punjabi. I shared with him about my father while he spoke about what daughters mean to fathers.
He had so much warmth; you don’t see that anywhere anymore. He allowed others to take that radiance and that light from him. He was child-like. He loved when people gave him compliments, especially the ladies. He would blush when that happened (laughs).
This is the second time you’ve played a Pakistani character…
Yes. I worked in What Will People Say (2017; where she also played a Pakistan origin woman). That was the film where many people told me that my performance was quite honest and that I played a Pakistani authentically. Since then, it became a joke and my friends have been teasing me, ‘You’ve been playing a Pakistani too many times. Don’t be surprised if they offer you an honorary citizenship’ (laughs). I replied that I’d wear a T-shirt proclaiming that I don’t want it (citizenship)!
Thanks to What Will People Say, the thinking film fraternity people started acknowledging me as an actor who they can depend on. Hence, it became a vital film for me apart from the fact that it was released in 26 different countries, was the official entry to the Oscars, etc.
After these achievements, what will be your strategy from now on? Would you like to take up only significant or longer parts from now on?
I have never had a strategy in my career. Every film that I have done, including a couple of them that I am not particularly proud of, has taught me something. What Will People Say gave me recognition. Angrezi Mein Kehte Hai (2018) was my first film as the main lead. It propelled me forward in a big way. To act opposite Sanjay Mishra and to be able to deliver was received very well. Kohrra was a phenomenal show and people remarked that I was able to get into the skin of the character of Indira. In short, every project has added value to my life and career. There has been a sense of fulfilment and learning.
There have been times when many people have questioned me as to why I agreed to do small roles. They would ask me, ‘Are you not patient enough to wait?’. My reply would be, ‘Life is short. I might live up to 80, and I am not going to be in my 40s forever’. Hence, if I get a chance to work in a good director or a good ensemble, why should I let it go? Because when I come out of such projects, I come out a little bit richer, not in terms of remuneration but experience. I have not been to drama school or NSD or FTII. That has never deterred me from learning. I have learned on my job and beyond my job.
Yes, I had to audition and that is something which has enhanced my understanding of the craft. So, I don’t want to make statements that now, I would only want to work in big projects. I have done a few independent films and I have really enjoyed the experience.
It is said that you reside in Kolkata and that you come to Mumbai only for work…
For many years, I have lived in Kolkata. But now, I finally have a place in Mumbai. In all these years, I have been grateful to the industry because jab bhi unko kisi actor ki zaroorat hoti hai, woh paatal se neeche se bhi dhund ke usko le aati hai! They did find me and gave me opportunities.
What next?
I have a show coming up called Civil Lines. It’ll premiere on Sony LIV and is produced by Goldie Behl. I have a phenomenal character. There are things that happen in your life that give you a child-like excitement. Civil Lines has given me that kind of feeling.
Finally, what are your birthday plans?
I normally celebrate every birthday by travelling somewhere. This year is going to be no different. I am not a big party person. I don’t buy clothes, bags or watches. Instead, I like to splurge on travel because travelling is the only thing that makes you richer, isn’t it? (Smiles)
Where are you travelling this year?
I’ll announce it soon. I go very quietly. I feel every birthday is about a reset. As you feel you have lived life a bit more, a birthday is always a good time to introspect and also see what has gone and what is coming. The great place to do that is a beautiful natural location!
More Pages: Ikkis Box Office Collection , Ikkis Movie Review
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