Intense
Ejaz Khan better known as the blue-eyed boy of Ekta Kapoor, is very happy doing only Balaji shows. Screen caught up with this actor on the sets of Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa and quizzed him on the show and his career...
Describe your experience of working in Nimmo? It has been a great experience, and having stalwarts like Dolly Thokore, Dara Singh, Navneet Nishan and Bharati Achrekar, as my co stars, has taught me a lot.
How similar or different are you from your Nimmo character, Kunal? Kunal is a very flamboyant person, while I am more balanced and a down-to-earth kind of guy. Secondly he is married, while I am still single.
How would you want to remember Nimmo, down the years? I will remember Nimmo from the standpoint of the hard work, which we all had to put in, in order to make this show a hit. Being on a new channel (Star One), we had to work that much harder to keep bringing the audience back night after night. But by God's grace, our efforts hit pay-dirt and we got a very good audience feedback, right from the beginning.
The serial's track has been changed from a light hearted comedy to hardcore drama? Yes, especially the part where dadaji takes away all my money to teach me a lesson (inspired from Waqt) but that was the demand of the audience. I really enjoyed doing the comedy phase, which lasted for a month-and-a-half.
There is speculation that Nimmo may go off air? Yes although I have heard about it too, I would not want to speculate without knowing the inside details, which Balaji and the channel don't share with me anyway. Hence all I want to do is to keep on working, till Ekta tells me to quit.
You have done many shows over the years, rank your best, in terms of performance? That would have to be Kavyanjali, I really enjoyed playing Kavya. In a way, I have to thank Rakshat for he did such a bad job earlier, that it became easy for me to replace him in the audience's hearts and minds. People really liked the chemistry between Anita and me, and that helped the show to become a big success. Then there's Kahin To Hoga which will always occupy an important place in my heart, for it taught me a lot i.e. How to act, how to face the camera, and all the other tricks of the trade. Once you know how to go about in tellywood, the journey becomes much easier.
You seem to be doing only Balaji shows, why? I am very content working with the number one production house in India, which is not only giving me ample opportunity to showcase my talent, but is also paying me well, so why rock the boat, unnecessarily?
You are a trained dancer, so why not try your hand at reality shows, like Jhalak... or Nach Balliye? I prefer to be a performer and not allow my audiences to come too close to me, which happens in reality shows.
Any particular genre (comedy or negative) you would want to try your hand at? I am more then willing to try my hand at any genre, which enables me to challenge the actor within who gets bored very easily.
You came into the TV industry, after a very bad accident, what encouraged you to overcome your handicap (his arm was frozen at the shoulder)? The fact that some people washed their hands off me, ignited the fire in my belly to prove them wrong. I can still dance with my arm frozen beyond a point (rotating cuff injury).
Does the audience relate to you as Ejaz or by the various characters, you have played? As opposed to most TV stars, who are known more by their characters, rather then their real names, whenever I go out, people say, there goes Ejaz Khan and not Kavya or Kunal. This might be either because I have done many shows (7) or I have not acted that well, for my character to be etched in their minds.
Any changes you would want to see in the Indian television industry? Look, I am too small a person to comment, but personally, I feel that the education level here is low. What really rankles me is that due to the unprofessionalism and lack of discipline on the part of some people, work which can be easily completed in four days takes as many as 10 days.
There is a general belief that Ejaz is a haughty person, who does not get along with his co-stars? You are referring to my friction with Nimmo star Sanjida. I agree that at times, I get so engrossed in myself, that I don't acknowledge the sensibilities of my co stars. Earlier I would point out the flaws in others, but soon realized that they don't take too kindly to it, so I have decided to keep my mouth shut, and offer advice only when asked for.
Any particular actor, you idolize? Kiran Karmarkar. He acts so well that you don't know when the shot begins or ends. Sakshi Tanwar also emotes her scenes, par excellence.
You have done a number of item numbers in films. Any more in the pipeline? Yes, Anita and I will soon be seen in an item number. But unlike some TV stars who ditch tellywood (which is growing by leaps and bounds) for even a small bollywood role, I will always remain loyal to TV, for I have got lots of love, respect and recognition out here. I agree it's not as big as what bollywood stars get, but its good enough for me.
Have you have achieved what you had set out to do? No way for I believe that the moment you think you have arrived; you are on your way out. I am grateful to God for having given me so much success. But as to what I wish to do, I have not even begun to scratch the surface. You have to aim high to get somewhere in life.
There were some reports that you have joined politics? Come on yaar give me a break, I had just attended a friend's political rally(I will not name him). All I said there was that we celebrities should use our influence with the public and the media, to spread awareness about the current social ills, plaguing our society. I have no intention of joining politics and am very happy doing TV. This does not mean that I will not be a conscious citizen and voice my concerns.
http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=14404
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