Eijaz Khan takes his 1st step in politics

Mumbai, Jan 10 (IANS) TV actor Eijaz Khan has always been different from the brood. Earlier this week he proved it when he took a couple of days off from his hectic schedule at Balaji Telefilms to share the platform in Goa

with eminent politicians, including Goa Chief Minister

Pratapsingh Rane.

"It was a youth festival organised by a friend, Sachin Parag, and I gave my first public speech," said Ejaz shyly. "I guess we, who have a known name, need to use it to make a difference to the society. And yes, I'm certainly not averse to getting into politics," Eijaz told IANS.

But the young actor is wary of joining any political party.

"Because then you become too closely affiliated to that party's ideologies. I'd rather have the freedom to address issues that concern me - like AIDS.

"I hate to say this, but even today I've friends who don't use condoms reasoning there's no need for one. How can we change the mindset at the grassroots when it's so unreasonable at the higher levels?"

Eijaz is cool about the idea of politics. But what about the politics on the sets of his serials?

Sanjeeda, his "Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka" co-star, continues to talk about her aversion to any kind of conversation with Eijaz.

"Has she really spoken about it again? I don't even know who she is beyond the camera. I've stopped interacting with those who think my suggestions to better a scene are a form of interference. Earlier, I'd go all out to make sure the scenes are as finely executed as possible. Then I realised some co-stars took my suggestions as a personal insult.