After six years away from daily television, Eijaz Khan is back on the small screen with Dilon Ki Ram Leela. While he has portrayed everything from romantic leads to complex characters across television, films and OTT, the actor says his latest role has pushed him into unfamiliar territory.

For the first time in his career, Eijaz is playing a father and he says it among his most challenging roles. “I never imagined playing a father could be this difficult,” Eijaz admits.

For him, the real challenge lies in understanding the emotional world of a father. Raised by his father in a single-parent household, he says his own upbringing was anything but conventional.

“My father was a complete non-conformist. He was more like a friend than an authority figure. We grew up in a single-parent household with just him. But in this show, I have to play the head of the family — not just a father to my daughter, but someone whose every interaction is shaped by that responsibility.”

That perspective, he says, influences every relationship his character shares on screen. “Even if I’m talking to my sister, I’m approaching the scene as the father of this child first. That changes the way I react, the way I speak and the way I carry myself.”

The actor admits he is still discovering the nuances of the character and often seeks feedback from the show’s creative team. “I’m still trying to find my feet. I constantly ask my producer and director for guidance. Experience definitely helps, so even if I make mistakes, they won’t be completely off the mark. But I’m still learning.”

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.”