Eijaz Khan's Heartfelt Connection with Lucknow's Tranquil Charm
During a recent visit to Lucknow for shooting an upcoming OTT project, actor Eijaz Khan expressed his profound admiration for the city and its inhabitants. In an exclusive conversation, the Bigg Boss 14 finalist revealed how Lucknow's serene environment provided a refreshing contrast to the frenetic pace of metropolitan life.
Finding Peace in the City of Nawabs
"I find the people of Lucknow to be very nice. The way they talk comfortably, the way they work comfortably, the way they live a peaceful life is worth admiring," Khan shared enthusiastically. "I think the word 'peaceful' has left everyone's dictionary in the metros, but it is still visible in Lucknow. So, for me, it was a change of gear, all of a sudden from top gear to first gear."
The actor highlighted how even routine experiences in Lucknow reflect the city's distinctive culture. "Like if I go to the hospital, people work very comfortably. I realized that's a culture, that's a way of life. And they don't think that they are doing it slowly, and yet everyone is doing it to their best."
Rediscovering Simple Joys in Malihabad
This slower rhythm allowed Khan to reconnect with simple pleasures he had long neglected. "In Lucknow, I started getting up at 8 in the morning. I was living in Malihabad and the air was so pure. I used to go out in the sunlight and I would walk barefoot in the grass. I also ate the best food," he reminisced.
The actor recalled previous visits to the city for films like Shorgul and Tanu Weds Manu, all marked by delightful experiences. Fond memories of exploring Gomti Nagar with co-star Deepak Dobriyal in cycle rickshaws added to the charm. "It used to be fun conversing with the rickshaw wala," he said with a smile.
Khan concluded, "So, this is a cultural shock for us. Because coming from a city like Mumbai, which is so aggressively fast, we forget to breathe and pause."
Confronting Childhood Trauma and Relationship Complexities
Eijaz Khan, who previously revealed being molested as a child—an experience that instilled a deep fear of physical touch—credits his Bigg Boss journey for teaching emotional resilience. "Having experienced physical abuse as a child, I always had this deep-seated fear of physical touch. But I think I have come a long way since. My Bigg Boss experience has also taught me a lot," he explained.
The actor emphasized that he now prioritizes calmness during conflicts. "Now, I have realized that the calmer person is in control of the argument. So now, I try to pause and maintain calm, unless and until triggered beyond a point where I have to react."
Navigating Failed Relationships with Maturity
Reflecting on past romantic relationships, Khan adopted a balanced perspective focused on shared responsibility rather than blame. "On hindsight and retrospect, when you try to dissect a relationship, it ends up sounding like I am talking about their faults. And if I don't talk about their faults, it sounds like I'm taking the blame on myself," he observed.
"In simple terms, my failed relationships have been because of the faults of both partners," he stated diplomatically.
Addressing recent controversies where ex-partners made allegations on podcasts, Khan clarified, "Whenever my exes have said something about me, those things have been twisted and taken out of context. With a different question, their reaction was put out of context." He specifically denied one claim about religious conversion attempts, noting the accuser later retracted the statement.
"Venting out is not a problem. I don't want to start a verbal battle with my exes. I've never done that, and I'll never do it," he affirmed.
Television's Transformation: From Golden Era to Digital Age
Eijaz Khan, who rose to fame through television, reflected on the medium's dramatic evolution. "The actors of my time saw the most beautiful period of television. We saw real stardom on television," he said, mentioning how a young Lucknow resident recently recognized him from his TV shows.
He analyzed why contemporary television struggles: "I feel the audience and the taste of the audience is evolving so fast, very fast. Sometimes when I speak to my directors, they have this thing, 'Eijaz, you know, it's a second screen'. Today, the first screen is your phone."
Khan explained the production pressures facing today's creators: "Also, nowadays, what is the longevity of the show? The channels do not give a producer the leeway. They give 6 months to run a show. The show is getting shut down in 40 days. Can you blame the producers for making what they're making? You can't. So I am completely sympathetic towards them."
Embracing Singlehood at 50: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Now at 50, Khan has embraced his age and current life phase with contentment. "I don't have any help in Mumbai. Managing a house at my age of 50 is not a kid's play. So I have to call myself a wise man because if not now, then when? I have embraced my age completely, and I am enjoying this phase of life so much," he shared.
Longing for Family and Female Presence
The actor revealed a lifelong desire for family connection that remained unfulfilled. "See, all my life I have always thought that I want my own family. I wanted my family selfishly; I wanted my person selfishly, which I never got! I never had a mother, and my sister was mostly absent from my life. I didn't have a strong female figure in my life and always had a craving for that kind of love."
Content with Solitude and Protective of Peace
When asked if he's happy being single at 50, the 120 Bahadur actor responded, "Now I am happy and selfish! Now I do not want to take the chance of anyone disturbing my peace of mind. I don't want to marry or be in a relationship again. I am set in my ways now, and I cannot expect somebody else to be tailor-made to the way I am. Arranged marriage is too much of a risk."
Despite this, Khan believes he would have excelled as a father. "I have the right mix of emotions. I would have been a great father, and so if it has to happen, it will happen," he said.
Currently, his focus remains on health and wellbeing. "Right now, I want to take care of my health, which is a cause of concern because I had a lot of ailments and surgeries in the last 2-3 years. So, I want to focus completely on my physical and mental health and not think about anything else, like marriage or parenthood, as of now."
Through this candid conversation, Eijaz Khan offered a multifaceted glimpse into his personal evolution—from finding solace in Lucknow's tranquility to making peace with his past and present circumstances.
