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He's
the hottest kid on the block. Ejaz
Khan has captured the minds
and imagination of several fans across the sub-continent, but somehow
the plum roles seem to be evading the good looking actor. Prashant
Golecha finds out why
Why
did you leave 'Kahiin To Hoga', although your character Varun was
being appreciated?
My leaving Kahiin To Hoga was a management decision at
Balaji Telefilms. I had Kesar and Koi Dil Mein Hai
to shoot for, which were suffering due to my time constraints. There
were rumours floating that I left because I wasn't paid enough,
but that was not true. I knew I would be exiting KTH. In fact, for
one and a half months, we were unable to find a suitable replacement
till Chaitanya came into the picture.
Why do you keep getting the second or third leads in Balaji shows?
Did Ekta promise you a bigger role?
Ekta didn't promise me any bigger roles. I am doing the lead
in Koi Dil Mein Hai. In Kesar too, I have a prominent
role although my character, Abhinav Pandey has died right now -
he is going to make a comeback. From the 16th episode in Kesar
the story had to become a love triangle, which didn't happen. In
case of Kahiin To Hoga my character was to evolve after Piyush's
death. But some time after Piyush's death, I was replaced. I am
happy doing what I am doing.
Why did you take up "Kkusum" that's already cluttered
with so many actors?
My character Sohan has been introduced to fight for
Kkusum. I agreed to do it because Kkusum is still
the number one show for Sony in terms of viewership. Moreover it
is a short-term character and I had time on my hands, as Koi
Dil Mein Hai is a half hour weekly show now instead of an hour
long weekly.
How
difficult is it to avoid getting attracted to beautiful co-stars?
It is pretty difficult but one needs to maintain a certain
level of professionalism. I don't believe in mixing my love and
professional lives.
Why
did you opt for television instead of approaching producers for
films?
Frankly, I turned down many item number offers, as I didn't
want to get slotted. Moreover, I had met with an accident and broken
my shoulder I had some decent film offers but they were taking time.
So when Balaji approached me for Kulvadhu (later renamed
as Koi Dil Mein Hai) for a lead role, I decided to take the
offer. But the show took time. Meanwhile I was offered the role
of Varun. I took it.
Do you still want to do films?
Yes. Let me market myself well. At Balaji, I have sort of graduated
in acting. In any case, television is bigger than films. In films,
you can get written off with one flop, but that's not so with television
shows. I want to do films but later. Right now I am happy doing
television and improving my performances. I am a chilled out person.
I want to exhaust myself first on television.
Do you have a girlfriend?
I had a girlfriend for four years. We have broken off now.
We keep hearing that 'Koi Dil Mein hai' is going off air soon. What's
the truth?
Koi Dil Mein Hai was supposed to go off air, due to
low TRPs, as Star Plus was airing movies at the same time. Right
now, the serial has got an extension of around 2-3 months, as the
ratings are better than before.
Is it true that Nandini Singh, who plays the title role of 'Kesar'
has a major attitude problem on the sets?
Yes, it's totally true. I hate her. I haven't spoken to her
for the last six months. We don't even rehearse the scenes with
her. She just sits in her make up van with her mom. I don't know
why, but everyone somehow goes on tolerating her.
How
do you react to your female fan following?
Uncannily, I am still called Varun. Fans write letters to me
and there are even people coming to my house to meet me. It feels
good. When I was in hospital for five days after my hand injury,
many fans visited me. That really touched me.
What
are your passions?
My current passion is sleeping! Otherwise, I like to take off
for vacations to places like Goa.
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