EJAZ AND SANJEEDA FIGHT ON SETS OF KHNK

Mumbai, Aug 18 (IANS) The unit of STAR One's "Kya Hoga Nimmo Kaa" witnessed an ugly fight between Ejaz Khan and Sanjeeda Sheikh with the former stomping out of the sets.

"You can't start to think you've arrived with your first serial. If you do, you are on your way out even before you have arrived. You know, I'm working with some of the most disciplined and work-oriented seniors in 'Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka', like Dolly Thakore, Bharati Achrekar and Dara Singh.

"Dara-ji actually stands with his hands folded when the director explains the shots. That's the humility and concentration I also saw in Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol when I was shooting with them for Meghna Gulzar's 'Baat Pakki'. I have never encountered such behaviour before," says Ejaz Khan about his spat with co-star Sanjeeda.

Ever reluctant to get into controversies, Ejaz opens up grudgingly.

"I'm no longer stressed. I'm smiling and shooting. The show must go on. But for a few days I was stressed. See, when I'm on the sets I expect my co-stars to pay full attention. That's the way it was during 'Kahiin To Hoga' and 'Kavyanjali'. That's the protocol on the sets," Ejaz told IANS.

"It isn't so any more. The actors are only fooling around constantly. For me, the whole universe revolves around the scene that I'm doing. Maybe other actors think TV is a casual medium. Not me. When I give a good shot I feel optimum satisfaction."

The actor sighs.

"We've a new director in 'Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka'. At the end of the day I feel responsible because Mrs. (Shobha) Kapoor or Ekta are not standing on the sets and I don't want the wrong information to filter back to them.

"Today, I have a decent technical knowledge of camera angles, etc. So, I'm able to contribute to the production. Unfortunately, others around me don't seem to share my enthusiasm."

So what happened between Ejaz and his co-star?

"I was trying to coordinate a scene with a five-year-old girl. She had to give a multitude of expressions. I was constantly rehearsing with the kid when I heard loud voices from a corner of the set. I don't want to specifically say anything about any one actress. Any kind of disturbance on the set bothers me. I did ask that the noise be stopped.

"Sanjeeda took offence. She turned around and challenged me, asking, 'Who are you talking to?' I turned around and reminded her that I don't speak to her until I have to. Voices were raised. I lost my cool. I left the set and raised my voice at the executive producer. I told him I'd go back on the set and raise my voice again at her if there was any lack of discipline."

When asked if Sanjeeda was a disruptive force on the sets, Ejaz said sarcastically: "She's too big for me to comment on. She is, after all, playing Nimmo. You've no idea what I've gone through. I don't let such things affect me on a personal level. But my work gets affected. The other actors may think it makes no difference. But every shot means a lot to me.

"I'd like to add that I've put in three years of hard work, 18 hours a day. That's not Sanjeeda's problem. But it's a measure of my dedication to my work. I had a similar run-in during 'Kavyanjali'."

However, Ejaz is going ahead with his work in "Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka".

"I won't let anyone affect my efficiency. So what if I don't get along with my co-star? I'll just act as though we get along. True, we'd have done much better if there was camaraderie.

"If I have to raise my voice for my work I'll do it. But this is not the way to function, especially on a new serial. I know how much is riding on me through the two serials I'm doing. I can't let Ekta down."