Cezanne Khan Interview

Cezzane Khan. Arguably the best looking guy in telly world, he made his debut in Hasratein - the superhit serial of the 90s. He followed it up with small roles in Dushman and Palchchin. He could have been easily forgotten had he not landed a role in Ekta Kapoor's Kalirein. So impressed was the Queen of Soaps by his performance that she offered him the lead role in Kasautii Zindgaii Kay.

It's said that initially, people who hadn't seen him and just heard his name mistook him for Hrithik Roshan's wife Suzanne Khan. But today, there's no identity crisis. His face is everywhere- on hoardings, at bus stops, railway platforms and also on car stickers.

Excerpts from an interview with Vickey Lalwani:

How did you get into television? I had finished my B Com and was supposed to join NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) for my MBA. Out of the blue, I was offered a film.

You look quite sweet. I am not surprised. Then? Well, I had to make a choice between the two- MBA or film. I opted for the latter. I thought... (pauses).

You thought that you could make a career in films?
Sort of. You see, I had done two years of theatre during my college days. So I knew what acting is all about. It was not a case of 'a man jumping into the swimming pool without knowing the 's' of swimming' (smiles).


Which film was that?
Unfortunately, it got shelved. Please allow me to keep the name of the film under wraps.


So how did film aspirations change tracks?
Anubhav Sinha offered me Hasratein and I took it up. Soon enough, I got Neena Gupta's Palcchin, Balaji's Kalirein. Also I did a bit of acting in B.R.Films' serial Dushman. During those days, Ekta Kapoor was doing the auditions for Kasautii Zindagi Kay. The rest, as they say, is history (smiles).


Looking at the tough times which today's heroes are facing, aren't you happy that you jumped into television at the right time?
It has given me money and adulation both. Still, I would like to do films at some point of time.


Have you had any formal acting in training?
Just my theatre experience is seeing me through. Once you act on stage, you shed all your inhibitions and become a natural artiste. I never joined any professional acting class. Most of my friends used to say, "If you want to swim, don't take the longer route. Jump right into the deep end. Take a few shots. The verdict will not take long to be out."


Without training, is it easy to perform the difficult scenes?
My biggest teacher on the sets is Dipak Kazir. He helps me out if I am not getting it right. We have a great equation going.


Can you elaborate on the help provided by Kazir?
As and when I don't get it right, Kazir helps me to get into the mood of the scene. Then, he tells me the dialogues I am supposed to emphasise on. The results are there for you to see. The director Ravindra Gautam is a genius, but just in case he is not present on the sets, Kazir can do the trick for me.


What about the romantic scenes with Shweta Tiwari (Prerna)? Are you comfortable with those?
Yeah. No problems.


That reminds me about the 'Best Jodi' Shweta and you received at the 'Star Parivaar' nite. Congrats!
Thanks. Besides, last year I received two awards one of which was the 'Most Poular TV Actor' in ITA and another as the 'Best TV Male Personality'.


Romance takes me to female fans. Do you have plenty of them?
Yup. They call me up from far and wide. At times, they go over the top and I refuse their calls. And do you know that sometimes, I have even got calls from another number saying that the girl whom I avoided has slashed her wrists?


Are you comfy with emotional scenes?
Very much. I love doing the scenes where I have to portray anger.


How easy it is to memorize the lines?
Cool. I am not ruffled. I am quite good at it. Most of the times, I don't goof up my dialogues. And thank God, else that would really exasperate me. I am very particular about rushing to the monitor as soon as my scene is over. I carefully observe each and every movement. If something nags me, I clarify with my director. I can't get into the next scene until I am satisfied with my previous one.

Which are the actors you look up to? Smriti Malhotra Irani is damn good. Dipak Kazir is an actor par excellence. Urvashi is great. In the film industry, Sanjeev Kumar is my all-time favourite. Amongst the younger crop, Akshaye Khana and Kajol are highly talented.

Going to KZK. God forbid, but if you met with such a situation in real life - you marry a girl and discover that her previous husband who was believed to be dead is still alive and kicking? Anurag and I have only two things in common. One, like Anurag, I don't believe in moving ahead in life by trampling on someone's toes. Two, like Anurag, I am very honest; I hate lying, and of course therefore, I hate liars. But... (pauses)

But what? But if you are trying to ask me whether I would allow my wife to work in her previous husband's office, the answer is a vehement 'no'. I would be a possessive lover. I am confident that I would be able to convince her of what I wanted.

How else would you be bothered? Let's put it this way. I wouldn't bother a damn. I have married her and she is mine.

Any other difference between Anurag and you? My way of talking and dressing is totally different.

So you are dominated by the channels when it comes to attires, etc? That's a wrong way of looking at it. It's just that I am not bothered of how I look and what I wear. My entire being goes into the character. But looking at the recent trends, I guess I must start becoming conscious of what I wear and how I look.

Don't worry, you look good anyway. Who is the lucky girl in this handsome guy's life? I am single and ready to mingle (winks).

Your forthcoming projects? I am doing another project for Ekta, wherein I die after a few episodes. It's a great role. I am getting lots of films, these days.

So what's preventing you from cashing in on it? I don't want to move ahead in life by trampling on one's toes. It is my responsibility to take KZK to its logical conclusion.