'I don't believe in ghosts'

Iqbal Khan, the host of paranormal TV show Sambhav Kya, shares his 'ghost' experiences with Janaki Vishwanathan.

Iqbal Khan, the host of paranormal Sambhav Kya, shares his 'ghost' experiences with Janaki Vishwanathan.

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Do you believe in ghosts?
Nope.

Ever known anyone who does?
There used to be rumours about a headless chowkidar at the chapel in Lawrence High School where I studied. The chapel is around 160 years old.

Did any of your friends see this ‘headless’ guy?
No, but then we didn’t have the courage to wander into the chapel after sundown. One of the new kids once happened to pass by the chapel after dusk. He returned to the boys’ dormitory, white as a sheet, and refused to stay around another day. He never told us what he’d seen though. There was a swimming pool next to the chapel. Apparently, you could hear splashing sounds even when there was no one around.

Did you ever do planchett?
No, the girls at school used to, regularly. But whenever I popped in, the coin would stay still.

Ever played a scary prank?
Yes, when I was in school again. We had this horrid mask. I used to get scared just looking at it. One night, I wore it and stalked into the juniors’ dorm. I had a black cloak on too. The poor kids were terrified!

Your favourite horror flick?
The first I saw, The Exorcist. I watched it when I was five years old and it freaked me out. I refused to lock the loo door for two months ... and I’d demand that my mum stand guard outside!