After a six-year break from daily soaps, Eijaz Khan is returning to television with Dilon Ki Ram Leela. He was last seen in the daily soap Tara From Satara, following which he participated in the reality show Bigg Boss, and focused on films and OTT projects.

The actor admits that the gaps between OTT and film projects began taking a toll on him. “Out of 365 days, I might shoot for 100 days for my OTT projects and some more days for films. What do I do during the other days? I have five or six close friends, and some of them live abroad. That’s when I felt why not take up a TV project.”

Work has always been the one place where he feels most fulfilled, he says. “When I’m free, I miss working. I think I am happiest when I am on a set. Yes, it may not be the best for your health because the days are long, but I would rather be tired on set than be tired at home.”

The entertainment industry is going through a phase where the opportunities available across mediums have reduced.

Ask him whether the slowdown creates insecurity among actors and he says, “Of course it does. We are passionate about acting, but acting is also what runs our kitchens. I’m very grateful that after 25 years, I’m still a working actor.”

Eijaz feels the industry is in a period of transition. “There is a lot of confusion about what will work. By the time writers finish a script in a genre that’s trending today, the market is already flooded with similar stories. Everyone is trying to figure out what audiences want.”

Addressing the growing debate around how actors are often expected to have a huge social media following, he says, “If the industry expects actors to have a social media presence and followers, I understand why. But that shouldn’t be the only focus to cast an actor. A person’s acting skills should matter more than his social media numbers. I don’t spend much time on social media; I would rather use that time attending acting workshops to hone my craft.”