/> He has always been different from the brood. Earlier this week he proved it when he took a couple of days off from his hectic schedules at Balajee Telefilms to share the platform in Goa with eminent politicians including the Chief Minister of Goa.

"It was a youth festival, organized by a friend Sachin Parag, and I gave my first public speech," says Ejaz shyly.

"I guess we who have a known name need to use that name to make a difference to society. And yes, I'm certainly not averse to getting into politics. But I'm wary of joining any political party because then you become too closely affiliated to the party ideology. I'd rather have the freedom to address issues that concern me...like AIDS.

I hate to say this, but even today I've friends who don't use condoms reasoning there's no need for one. How can we change the mind-set at the grassroots when it's so unreasonable at the higher levels?"

Eijaz is cool about the idea of politics. But what about the politics on the sets? His Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka co-star Sanjeeda continues to talk about her aversion to any kind of conversation with Eijaz.

"Has she really spoken about it again? I don't even know who she is beyond the camera. I've stopped interacting with those who think my suggestions to better a scene are a form of interference.

Earlier I'd go all out to make sure the scenes are as finely executed as possible. Then I realized some co-stars took my suggestions as a personal insult.

Now I save my suggestions for those who actually want to listen to me without finding me intrusive. As for this lady you're talking about, I only know her as someone who shares camera space with."

Is it possible for two people to work so closely for months and years without any personal interaction?

"Why not?" Eijaz shoots back. "Balajee Telefilms is filled with instances of co-stars who are at loggerheads and their serials have been grabbing TRPs for years. On-camera chemistry has nothing to do with what you feel about your co-star once the camera is switched off."

And what about his statement that women get pregnant just looking at his picture?

"I never said that," Ejaz is aghast. "I know about the birds and the bees. I woud never make a pompous statement like that."