Today we’d like to introduce rising TV Star and soon-to-be household name, Dr. Shah-Khan.
Hi Dr. Shah-Khan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Thank you for having me, I appreciate the opportunity to share my personal story. Mine started like many other first-generation Americans. I am the son of ambitious immigrants from Hyderabad, India, an entrepreneur, dreamer, aspiring comedy talk & game show host, and dental implant surgeon from Chicago.
I filmed my comedy talkshow pilot, IKHANTALKS by DR. SHAH-KHAN, in Los Angeles. I created, wrote, directed, produced, and financed this on my own. It is a mix of Fallon & Dr. Phil, but diverse, sexy, humorous, through a creative unique lens. My mission is to give people a voice who do not feel heard, in a comedic tone, with high style.
A very impressive background Dr. Shah-Khan, and the show sounds amazing. What can you tell us about your early life and your family?
Growing up in Chicago, I had a nice childhood for the most part. My Father (an electrical engineer) ran a large candy company (Milk Duds) who now owns real estate. Hustle is something I witnessed early. I knew I would have to work hard to get what I wanted.
My Dad came to the US to further his education and play soccer in college. There was religious turmoil in his homeland – he wanted a better life for himself and future family. My mother is a brilliant physician who received a full scholarship and stipend to attend medical school. The US wanted really good Doctors and was attracting top-tier talent. My parents found one another, got married, and that’s how the Shah-Khan story began.
Sounds like you have rockstar parents, was there pressure for you growing up?
For first generation Muslim Indian Americans, education is important. In the Shah-Khan house, it trumped all. I am the youngest of three. My brother, Mazher, is an attorney, and my sister, Dr. Miraj Shah-Khan, MD, is a world renowned breast cancer surgeon – I had my work cut out for me. Yes there was pressure, but they wanted a great life for us, and I love them for that. My parents moved to where I grew up because the schools are very good. It was a homogenized environment, so I experienced things children of immigrants deal with.
“What does Muzaffar mean? (Translates to Victorious in Arabic)” “Why isn’t your name Mike or John?” “It’s weird you don’t celebrate Christmas.” “What’s a Muzlum (Muslim)?“
“Why don’t you look like other Indians?”
I didn’t get it too bad, but I was tougher than most. I encountered bullies (one of the biggest bullies in school was a female that DM’d me just last year, we had an interesting exchange about our childhood) but I was quick with my tongue and hands when needed. (I am from Chicago, don’t play with me) However, others are not as strong, comments and taunting definitely weighed on their mental health. These are all issues I discuss in my show, IKHANTALKS.
Sounds like you have quite a story already, Im sure your show will be very interesting. What was the inspiration behind IKHANTALKS?
How I came to this juncture is atypical for the Doctor son of immigrants. However, it is necessary and I am the one to do it. Growing up in Chicago, I never saw anyone that looked like me in American TV. I never understood why, and it bothered me. It seemed like everyone at school (mainly white, and one black) all had people to admire on TV like singers, actors, and athletes. I did not. In present day this lack of diversity is still prevalent, but I will be the change. I am going to become exactly what I needed to see as that ten year old kid in Chicago.
Also, my niece and nephew always say “The Doctors on TV are lame. We don’t want to to see people like Dr. Phil, we want to see our uncle, Dr. Shah-Khan!” Deep down the lack of representation upsets them, and I don’t want them to have a single limit on what they think they can achieve.
You’re really close with your family. Share with our readers how that ties into your journey.
Although I had an obligation to my family regarding my education, I always knew I wanted to be in Hollywood and host my talk show during the day and a gameshow (i.e. Family Feud at night (because I have A LOT of energy and it seems really fun) I did not know how that would happen, and neither did anyone else. What I realized is this lack of representation put limits on my thoughts, my dreams, and what I thought was possible for my life. Which seems ironic for someone in my position, but that’s the truth.
I respect the TV Doctors that came before me, like aspiring politician Dr. Oz, and follically challenged Dr. Phil. They helped people, but their shows lack systemic diversity, and they’re just not very cool or fun.
IKHANTALKS by DR. SHAH-KHAN, is something I wanted for a long time. Becoming a Doctor, business owner, masters degrees, and published oral cancer researcher, I surpassed every expectation my parents had for me. I’m like, OK, I am going to do this! I am grateful for the support I have on social media. Some of my supporters have been with me from when I had no following – they keep me going. They supported my dream of creating this show. So I sat at my dining room table, after doing surgery all day, and started writing.
I can sense your passion about IKHANTALKS, and you definitely have a serious yet highly comedic angle.
Precisely, I am a Doctor afterall, that’s never going to change. I hired a team to film my pilot, and they mainly work in comedy. When I explained to them the concept and types of stories I tell, the main person was like “Doctor Shah-Khan, you’re f*cking hilarious, you NEED to talk about this in your show.” And I was like, “really? You work with all of these famous comedians.” He was like, “I do. But you have a unique perspective and high-end style. You’re very smart, the way you tell stories is funny. Even your look, it’s all unexpected. Write some stuff, and we’ll shoot.”
For months, I wrote every day. I started thinking about my experiences, funny and peculiar, over the last few years trying to figure out my place in fashion, entertainment, and on my life’s journey. I would write after work, in between patients, or in bed before going to sleep.
It was difficult at times, trying to run my business, staffing issues, things at home, and manifesting my dreams at the same time. But here I am, still in one piece.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing about my life is easy. I always tell people, behind shiny glamour in the form of social media looks, cars, clothes, is a tremendous amount of work. As a business owner and Doctor that does oral surgery, I deal with obstacles and challenges daily. You think a case will go smoothly, an employee doesn’t show up, the procedure takes an unexpected turn – that is all part of the job. With my show and entertainment career, things are no different. It’s a constant grind with a ton of rejection. But I will always fight for what I want. One major obstacle being the lack of diversity and obvious lack of representation.
I have some really loyal supporters, and the love of my family is incomparable, but during this process I do feel very alone. Even though I dreamed and manifested IKHANTALKS, I feel people still do not understand or care what I am trying to accomplish.
I do not have an agent or manager, so we are really getting it from the mud. My mother is a serious physician – I don’t have a Kris Jenner. We do everything ourselves. It is tough, but I am learning a lot. I am not used to dealing with so much rejection in my professional life. Usually patients call my office, wait months to get an appointment just to hear what I have to say, and then pay me for surgery. This is new for me. But I am no stranger to hard work. With staffing problems like all American business owners, sometimes I am at the front, answering the phone, scheduling, collecting payment, doing surgery, and sweeping the floor.
I have no problem doing what needs to be done for the success of my business.
In Hollywood, it is difficult to get meetings anywhere or with anyone of value. It is peculiar. You think you made progress and get somewhere, and it might be your big break, but that person has no power or ability to do anything. However, I am getting good feedback for IKHANTALKS from networks, Hulu, Netflix, Bravo, and some production companies thus far. Fingers crossed.
But like a wise woman once said, “this that keep going, this that never stop.” I will always fight to get what I want.
Thank you for sharing your personal story so honestly. You have such a big, prestigious background and life. It’s fascinating. Can you tell us a bit more about your work?
Thank you. Honestly, I kept my head down for so many years, grinding, studying, and in training. And now Hollywood! I love being a Doctor, helping transform my patients’ lives, and getting people out of pain. I am so grateful and blessed to do what I do.
I rarely say this, but I am proud of myself for having an idea and bringing it to life. Being true with my intention and about that action. I always envisioned having a talkshow in Hollywood. When filming the IKHANTALKS pilot, we were at CNN on Sunset, with the Hollywood sign behind me while I poured my heart out to the camera and shared so many personal stories. It was such a pinch me a moment.
I secured the location for the pilot the day before we filmed. I was going around LA like a madman, not even knowing where we were going to film this pilot I spent so much time and money on. For me to actually do this and create what I wanted was a dream come true.
Dr. Shah-Khan, you are force to be reckoned with. Not only are you a successful Doctor, but you look like a movie star, entertaining, and extremely articulate. How is your show different than the TV Doctors before you?
You’re way too kind. What sets IKHANTALKS by DR. SHAH-KHAN apart is diversity, and giving people a voice who do not feel heard. Even with everything I have accomplished, I still do not feel represented, heard, nor did I have a chance. Not one person offered me a hand, or any help, so I did it on my own. I understand struggle, adversity and have success. Audiences appreciate that.
I have a unique background not only in my ethnic origin, but in my education and skill set. I analyze people and share stories through my precise lens. We are at the intersection of fashion, music, and on the pulse of culture. While I respect those who came before me, no one can do what I do.
Audiences are more multicultural than ever. They demand diversity, hosts they admire, aspire to be like, and that they trust. Just like my patients put their lives in my hands, I bring that same trust and responsibility to IKHANTALKS to discuss serious to light issues in a comedic tone.
Thank you for your honesty, we look forward to IKHANTALKS and your work in Hollywood. Before we go, are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I just want to say that I struggle like everyone else. I have my doubts, and I have neglected myself at times. I have been working a lot more on self care, and spending time in the gym working on my fitness.
I encourage people to be kind, have understanding, and to be kind to yourself as well.
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho is a classic for me. I gravitate toward anything positive, uplifting, with a great message.
Hopefully, you will recommend IKHANTALKS as an option =)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ikhantalks
- Other: IKHANTALKS on all platforms
Image Credits
All photos courtesy of IKHANTALKS.
