Shabbir Ahluwalia not to quit TV for films

MUMBAI: When most of the television actors bid adieu to the medium after getting a chance in films, Shabbir Ahluwalia, who was seen in "Shootout At Lokhandwala", says he is still in love with small screen and will continue working in serials.

Shabbir played one of the lead characters in Apoorva Lakhia's "Shootout At Lokhandwala" and will now be seen in his "Mission Istanbul" that is releasing Friday.

"As of now I have no plans to leave television and I am happy with the things happening around me," Shabbir said.

Shabbir, who gained much popularity with serials like "Kahiin To Hoga" and now seen in "Kayamath", said: "Television and cinema are two different mediums and I enjoy working in both of them. Television is exciting as long as one is not greedy and does selective work that excites him."

He is looking forward to "Mission Istanbul" that also stars Vivek Oberoi, Zayed Khan and Suniel Shetty.

"I'm playing a negative role of an Afghan terrorist. The film is based on international terrorism so my role is quite important.

"It is completely different from what I played in 'Shootout...' and Apoorva has taken special care to shape out every character in the film in the best possible way."

Shabbir is said to be close to Lakhia who has signed him for his action comedy "Generation X".