Life sd b a bumpy ride thtz wot mks it exciting:RK

Page

MoonDesir

@MoonDesir

Dazzler

Posted: 14 years ago

What a dish!

Rajeev Khandelwal reveals that he is an instinctive cook and tells Mirror reader Maitri Shah to follow her instincts in life as well

Posted On Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 03:43:52 AM

Rajeev Khandelwal has come a long way from his TV show days and I've been following his career keenly. Though I'm a fan, I was apprehensive about meeting him when Mirror offered me this superb opportunity because he plays these intense roles in movies. Contrary to my reservations, Rajeev overwhelmed me with his friendly attitude.

Though he was tired after his press interviews, he received us with child-like enthusiasm. Before we took our seats, he joked about which profile would be better for photographs, to which I giggled and replied, "Whichever you like."

I had prepared a long questionnaire, so I dived into it. Did you always want to be a star? He said, "When I was in the third standard, I told my mother that I wanted to become an actor.

I auditioned for my first TV show then and even cracked it, but my mother didn't approve because my exams were approaching. I was so upset." "Then what did you do?" I asked.

Rajeev contorted his face and said, "In total filmy style, I picked up the offer letter and tore it into two pieces! I just knew I was born to be an actor."

Rajeev looks gorgeous and could play the quintessential hero who runs around trees with the heroine, but he has stayed away from mushy commercial films. Why? I asked.

He replied, "I don't take up roles that I don't believe in. For me, the definition of commercial cinema is when people line up to buy tickets to watch it. For example, I love to cook but I don't cook the regular sabji-bhaji. Whenever I visit the kitchen, my wife Manjiri keeps telling me what the ideal ingredients should be.

But I have this knack for experimenting with spices. So while I am preparing a dish, she makes a face. Once the dish is cooked though, she loves it. Similarly, I go off the beaten track and experiment with my roles in cinema."

He told me that even I should follow his mantra of experimentation. He said, "I believe playing safe in life is the riskiest thing. For me, a smooth ride would be very boring and I may fall sleep.

Life should be a bumpy ride, that is what makes it exciting. You should live such a life that when you look back, it makes you smile."

I have completed my HSC this year and am at a crossroad in my life. I want to pursue a degree in communication. It was such a surprise that while talking to him, he suddenly said that I have great communication skills.

He went on to add that I'd make a good PR professional, a career that I see myself in. He said that someday I could manage his work and I don't think he could have given me a bigger compliment. I've always perceived celebrities to be self-obsessed, but Rajeev was so refreshing.

When we were leaving, he gave me a tight hug. A little light-headed and very giggly, I left the room. I think I will take his advice seriously and maybe someday, I might even take him up on his offer.