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A turbulent childhood, troubled relationships, actor Eijaz Khan has been through it all. But the worst, he says, has brought out the best in him. In a candid chat with TOI, he talks about his past and his transformation
You hardly speak about your family.
I believe that if you have a sound childhood, your life ahead will be sorted. But I didn't have a sound childhood. My parents separated when I was three. Mom lived in Hyderabad with my sister while I was with dad in Mumbai. Eventually, issues cropped up between my father and me because of our different lifestyles. He didn't agree with my choices in life. We started fighting a lot. Finally, I left home and enrolled for an engineering course. It was tough. I had to struggle even for a bhurji-pav that only cost 6 at the time.
Go on...
I don't remember much about my mom. All I remember is my parents' fight? It was when my mother passed away in 1991 that I decided to find my sister. Till then, there was no communication. I saw my sister for the first time when she was 13. Can you believe it?
Regret being a rebel?
I wasn't a rebel, I was an idiot. How cool is starving and sleeping at stations? My dad wasn't wrong in correcting me. Maybe his approach was wrong. But now, things are sorted between us. He was the only one who stood by me last year, when I was down in the dumps, personally. I left Mumbai for Dharamsala because I didn't want my close ones to suffer.
Are you a changed person?
I feel positive. When I began acting on TV, I was like a rabid dog. For almost two years, I slept only two hours a day. I would be expected to shoot even when I was hospitalised. But I'm not blaming anyone, it was my choice. I've received the fruits of my labour. I made money and bought a house. My relationship ended because I hardly had the time to nurture it. I became an overnight star and started taking myself seriously. I felt, 'I am Eijaz Khan, I deserve certain things in life, so why isn't my girl behaving in a particular manner?' It was stupid.
Do you think you were unfortunate as an actor?
I am the fortunate one. Look at those from my league. Where are they today? I am still in the reckoning. I was never negligent towards work and my hard work is still reaping me benefits.
How has Natalie Di Luccio changed you?
She is only 23 but is quite mature. She doesn't let me raise my voice. Also, I didn't know she was so famous until recently (Natalie is a multi-lingual singer from Canada). We're not in a hurry to tie the knot. We're helping each other grow.
How did you fall in love?
She silently supported me in the past year. I had become cold and didn't trust anyone. A relationship was the last thing on my mind. She has seen me in the worst phase of my life. I don't know what I was doing last year, switching from one vice to another. I felt like Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr put together. I had gone a little crazy during my previous relationship. I would date two girls a day. She has seen me in a phase when I'd be so drunk the previous night that I wouldn't know whose house I'd wake up in.
Would you call your previous relationships a mistake?
Everything was beautiful. Every person has been a teacher. There was a time when I was angry about losing my dogs, about losing every shred of clothing I had accumulated and even my earnings. But I have realised that if I ever meet my ex, I might thank her " she has been my biggest teacher. I'm not Eijaz Khan's slave anymore. I am a free person.
What's happening on the professional front?
I have just returned from Chandigarh, where I was shooting for my next film, Lucky Kabootar, a romcom which also stars Ravi Kishen and Sanjay Mishra. I play the lead role. I'm focussing on films now.
Have you quit television?
I don't want to do television as of now. For me, acting is just to keep the excitement alive. When you explore different genres, you're always on your toes. If anything good is offered to me on television, I would think about it. I am dying to play negative characters.
source TOI
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