"It would have been foolish on my part to let go of Meerabai" - Eijaz Khan 
By Seema Pherwani, December 2, 2008 - 17:35 IST
Introvert and to himself …are just some of the adjectives we'd heard about him. However once we got talking, we discovered there's more to Eijaz Khan, who rose to fame as Kkavya in Ekta Kapoor's 'Kkavyanjali'.
True to the adage, silent waters run deep, Eijaz weighs all his words carefully, opens up slowly and gets chatty about his journey from television to films. After some forgettable films in the past, currently the good looking actor is eagerly awaiting his big film debut with PNC's Meerabai Not Out, in which he romances none other than Mandira Bedi.
So, here goes Eijaz unplugged.
So, tell us where you have been. We haven't heard much about you after the TV serial Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka wound up?
I have definitely been around. It's just that life took a different turn for me and I graduated from television to films. And with god's grace, I am now awaiting the release of all my three films back to back. Most of the time, TV actors crave for that one good lead role in a film. After Meerabai Not Out releases next week, I also have Bhavra and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang lined up next year.
Most of the time, TV actors crave for that one good lead role in a film
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Tell us a little about your role in Meerabai Not Out? What made you sign on this role?
It was the first script which PNC offered me and it would have been foolish on my part not to have accepted it. It's a romantic comedy and I get to play a boy next door in the film. Along with a good producer, the film also promised me a good director in Chandrakant Kulkarni and a good starcast. Above all, we have Anil Kumble which adds more to value to the project. Anil has some very good scenes in the film.
Go on …
Meerabai… is a beautiful romantic comedy wherein I play Dr Arjun Awasti, a cardiologist. His father is after his life to get married and settle down but he doesn't want to. But the plot unfolds when he falls in love with Meera, a `cricket crazy 'girl.
So, are you praying real hard for the success of the film?
I am not a very religious person. Religion for me means being good to fellow human beings. My claim to fame has really been the small screen. But to have immediately grabbed these roles is an achievement for me. Also, one can never really plan things in this industry. As an actor, I just do my bit and leave the rest to destiny.
Tell us a little about Kiss Biss Bang Bang and Bhavra?
At this stage, I wouldn't like to reveal more about these films .Dharmesh Darshan's production debut Bhavra is at the post production stage. The film has all TV stars in it and we all have some real bold scenes in it. Whereas, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a psychological thriller.
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Dharmesh Darshan's production debut Bhavra is at the post production stage. The film has all TV stars in it and we all have some real bold scenes in it
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As an actor, did you feel you had to emote differently for a film vis-à-vis soap? How did you prepare for your roles?
Not really. While giving a shot, I wasn't really conscious about the fact that I am shooting for a film. Balaji was my learning ground and I had picked up all my ropes as an actor from there.
Do you attribute your success to Ekta Kapoor?
Definitely, it was her show 'Kkvayanjali' which made me a household name. This couple with all the other K serial I had acted in.
Let's rewind to your struggling days?
I am an engineer by profession. I had done a few stage shows, tried choreography with Ganesh Hegde, then a bit of modeling. Later when somebody at Balaji spotted me in a video, they called me for an audition. Just after the audition, Ekta saw me and she signed me on. Initially, I was very miserable as I didn't know who Tulsi and Parvati are and felt very out of place. My dialogue delivery was really bad but all the other guys like Iqbal and Shabbir helped me a lot.
You love dancing but how come we haven't seen you in any of the reality shows?
Oh, that's true I love dancing. I have been offered most of these shows which are on air currently. But I hate the concept of dancing to garner votes from the public.
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I love dancing but I hate the concept of dancing to garner votes from the public
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What's your life mantra?
Kaam ke saat kabhi chori nahi karte, one has to give hundred percent in life, I always put in 100 per cent in all that
Are you still seeing Anita Hassanandani?
Some things are better left unsaid. I wouldn't like to comment on my personal life as I have suffered a lot in the past because of a few statements.
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Why Dharmesh Darshan chose TV actors
