Born on August 28, 1975, Eijaz Khan hails from Hyderabad, India. The actor had a difficult childhood as his parents got separated when he was just 3. While he had to move to Mumbai with his father and elder brother Imran Khan, his mother chose to stay in Hyderabad. She gave birth to Eijaz's younger sister, but Eijaz could not see his sister for almost 13 years. (All photos/Eijaz Khan's Instagram account)

Eijaz left his home in his teens as he used to not get along well with his father and enrolled on an engineering course. Needless to say, he struggled to manage his fees

However, a few years down the line, Eijaz Khan admitted that he was wrong and his father was right in correcting him. Things were sorted between the two eventually. "I thought I was a rebel, but later I realised I was an idiot. How cool is starving and sleeping at stations? My dad wasn't wrong, maybe his approach was wrong," said Eijaz

Eijaz Khan lost his mother in 1991, after which he met his sister for the first time, who was 13-years-old then. Eijaz hardly has any memories with his mom, but all he remembers is his parents' fights

Life has been an emotional roller coaster ride for Eijaz Khan — with a troubled childhood and complicated relationships, the actor has experienced a lifetime of upheavals

After years of searching for answers, Eijaz Khan revealed that he finally addressed his mental illness and began going to therapy in 2018. Looking back on the past, he acknowledges that the baggage he carried from his parents' separation in his childhood affected his relationships

"[Over the years], I have made other people's lives miserable without realising that I was hurting myself more than them. I have had to accept myself when the success went to my head and I made the wrong choices. Over the years, I have understood my trauma patterns and why I was acting out. That road to self-discovery has prepared me for the show," said the actor, who is an animal lover

In picture: Eijaz Khan lost two of his pets this year. He found solace by being a foster parent to abandoned dogs during the lockdown. He posted this picture on Instagram and captioned it: "I don't find peace and happiness anywhere else. Happy #FurryFriday guys! Upload a photograph of you with your furry friend with the hashtag #FurryFridayWithEijaz and the cutest photograph will get a special something from me. You guys ready? Upload now! Let's show some love to those who love us the most. [sic]"

Eijaz Khan made his acting debut with a small role in Sohail Khan-starrer Maine Dil Tujhko Diya in 2002, which was followed by a special appearance in the 2003 film Zameer's song Dilli Ki Sardi, alongside Amrita Arora. He also featured in Kuch Na Kaho's song Tumhein Aaj Maine Jo Dekha. He danced with Abhishek, Aishwarya and Gautami Gadgil in the song

On the television front, Eijaz Khan, who is remembered for his lead role in Kavyanjali, was featured in several television shows such as Kahiin To Hoga, Kayaamat, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kkoi Dil Mein Hai, Kesar, Kkusum, Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa, Kasamh Se, Kayamath, Doli Saja Ke, Karam Apnaa Apnaa, Bhaskar Bharti, Dil Se Diya Vachan, Laut Aao Trisha, Yeh Moh Moh Ke Dhaagey, Bepanah Pyaar, among others

In 2013, Eijaz Khan made his theatre debut with a play called The Seduction. He believes "true acting" happens on the stage when you have to connect with the live audience sitting in front of you

Even after having worked in a string of television shows as well as films such as Tanu Weds Manu and Zilla Gaziabad, doing theatre was a big responsibility for the actor. "I was scared of the theatre. In TV you can take 20 takes. Even in films, it is the directors, DOPs (director of photography), editor's responsibility. But in theatre, it is only you," he said

Eijaz Khan is now witnessing a new adventure in Bigg Boss 14, as he is one of the contestants of the season. He is aware that the coming three months won't be a cakewalk. "No matter how much you prepare yourself, what happens inside is a different ball game altogether. What is the point in strategising to showcase only your good side? You can't hold pretences for that long. At the end of the day, the audience will relate to you only if you show your true self, even if that means you are an a**hole," said Eijaz Khan

Here's wishing good luck to Eijaz Khan