Amrita Rao and I have a sizzling chemistry - Eijaz Khan

Suave and handsome Eijaz Khan is winning hearts every day with his portrayal of Vikrant in &TV's most popular show, Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai. Along with his attractive looks, there is one more charming trait that the actor possesses. He is not at all insecure when it comes to his contemporary actors. 

When actor Eijaz Khan entered &TV's 'Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai', many of the show's followers were sceptical as to whether or not his chemistry with Amrita would work. But now, people are simply rooting for the pair. We got talking with the actor about his show and the response he has been receiving. 

What made you take up Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai?

Primarily, it was because of my close friend Nivedita Basu, who happens to be my best friend in the television industry and also my mentor when I was in Balaji. This is her first home production and I read about this show's launch. Then one day this opportunity came my way. And if it had come to me from Nivedita's production house, it was not going to be something that would not suit me. I am glad that I'm doing this because I have got a very interesting role to play. It is a little challenging, I might have gone wrong or right but it is very enjoyable. 

Weren't you sceptical about taking up a woman-oriented show?

I think I'm a veteran in that. If I were a producer, I'd be aware of the target audience. I'd want the women in the houses to see my programme. I'd want to make something that they can relate to; so most of our television shows are women oriented. I have no qualms about that but it depends on an individual to carve out a niche for himself by working hard and acting to the best of his capabilities. My first role on television was for Kahin Toh Hoga in Balaji. I wasn't the lead but a few scenes struck a chord with the audiences. This was followed by interesting offers and intelligent people invested their time and effort in me. This show is about Kalyani & Ketaki's journey. I know I'm going to be a very small part of this journey. But I'll try to do a commendable job. I'll put in my best. People are loving our jodi. Even in a woman-oriented show, a character can stand out if it is portrayed beautifully. 

How is it working with Amrita Rao? Your chemistry is being loved by the audience. Your take on that?

Amrita comes from a very good schooling in films. In television due to time constraints, there is a certain 'Chalta Hai' attitude but I haven't seen that in Amrita at all. If she is not happy with the take and feels that she can do a better job, she asks and insists for a better one. So she is a bit of a perfectionist that way and so am I. So we are in tune and if you're working with intelligent actors, you don't necessarily have to rehearse that much. When you end up doing a scene, in the first 3 seconds you can figure out if your co-actor is picking up the nuances; if your co-actor is reacting to your acting. You can't have a deadpan face and wait for your lines. So it is a pleasure working with a sensible actor like her. She is very giving. There were scenes where I was supposed to have the upper hand, scenes where I had to scream at her and in such scenes, an actor automatically feels that the other character is overpowering theirs. But she doesn't have any insecurities like that, and because of that, I think our chemistry is sizzling. I hope I get to do more scenes with her. 

Since the show has a musical background, how much of a music person are you?

I'm not a person who says music is life or passion & things like that. Music is an integral part of my life as I used to play the guitar. Unfortunately, I cannot sing, but my father is a brilliant singer. Whenever I've held the mike, I've had people laugh at me, which actually encourages me, so I get embarrassed. I've had people in my life who have been very closely associated with music; so I have a very basic understanding of a person who has undertaken this journey. 

You portray an arrogant person but also have a soft corner in your heart in the show. How does it feel to play two different characters in the same show?

I don't portray a character which is inherently arrogant. I justify the arrogance by thinking that the character doesn't suffer fools and to a certain extent, I'm like that because life is too short. You can't keep explaining your point of view to everyone on the planet with a population of 6 billion people. So you do your best. If a person appreciates it, well & good. If a person doesn't, you still go ahead and do your best again. I justify this person's arrogance but that doesn't take away the fact that he is a human being. Human beings are a bundle of emotions. They have a softer side, compassion, sympathy, and empathy. So if Kalyani's beauty, talent, passion, and diligence is inspiring, there is love and compassion in Vikrant's character and it is because of Kalyani. Only a real or close to real character touches the audiences, and it is touching them and hence getting appreciated. 

Your take on reality shows? What kind of reality shows would you like to take up in the future?

I still haven't been a part of the reality show bandwagon. Immense popularity, money, overnight fame; I have been there, done that. We're lucky that we were in an era from 2003- 2007 when television actors were given 5 pages in the tabloids, so it doesn't really affect me. Having said that, reality shows bring out the real person. I think that would take away a mystery or acceptance of the audience if I'm portraying a character other than me. I might do a dance based reality show which I was almost going to but unfortunately, I had a shoulder dislocation. Dancing gives me immense happiness. But you should never say never. I'm not a reality show person, I don't watch reality shows either. 

You communicate with your fans on social networking sites when they give you feedback. How much does the audience feedback matter? Do you take their tips and better your performance?

I value my fan's opinions a lot. Let me rephrase that I value the opinions of my supporters because a very fine lady once said that a fan is someone who comes and goes but supporters stay forever. I have a core group of supporters. There is a group on Facebook that is the only place I go for feedback. I realised that some people told me that the character is very harsh, very arrogant, very sad and angry all the time. Why is that so? I did that on purpose, because what layering would this character have with his family, with the success he faced in his life is not a cakewalk. For instance, you know that a director like Sanjay Leela Bhansali who is so passionate about his work, will not accept the anyone saying Chalta Hai to his work. So I attributed some of the personality traits to a person like that. I went to that group and asked for their opinion. They told me it is okay that you are portraying that character but it becomes overwhelming to digest this character on screen while he is angry as well as sarcastic, so there has to be some kind of right balance. Maybe I was going wrong there but I took their opinion and I'm trying to gradually bring in other aspects of Vikrant Khanna's personality. Having said that, an actor has to have complete faith on the script and the director's vision. You don't mess around with that. 

Way to go Eijaz!