What a dish! π³π³ π ..
Rajeev Khandelwal has come a long way from his TV show days and I've been following his career keenly.π 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.π³π³ Contrary to my reservations, Rajeev overwhelmed me with his friendly attitude. βΊοΈ
Though he was tired after his press interviews,π he received us with child-like enthusiasm.ππ Before we took our seats, he joked about which profile would be better for photographs,π€£ to which I giggled and replied, "Whichever you like."π³π³
I had prepared a long questionnaire, so I dived into it. Did you always want to be a star? π
He said, "When I was in the third standard, I told my mother that I wanted to become an actor. (sumiji bachpan se πππ
I auditioned for my first TV show then and even cracked it, but my mother didn't approve because my exams were approaching.ππ I was so upset."π "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! π€£ I just knew I was born to be an actor." π³
Rajeev looks gorgeous π³π³ and could play the quintessential hero who runs around trees with the heroine, πππ but he has stayed away from mushy commercial films. Why? ππ 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 ππ . For example, I love to cook but I don't cook the regular sabji-bhaji. π³π³ Whenever I visit the kitchen, my wife Manjiri keeps telling me what the ideal ingredients should be.πππ
But I have this knack for experimenting with spices.πππ So while I am preparing a dish, she makes a face.πππ Once the dish is cooked though, she loves it. π³π³π³ Similarly, I go off the beaten track and experiment with my roles in cinema."
(wat an explaination...compairing cooking with cinema πππ)
He told me that even I should follow his mantra of experimentation. He said, "I believe playing safe in life is the riskiest thing.ππ For me, a smooth ride would be very boring and I may fall sleep.πππ
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.π³π³ 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.
(our hero inspiring people π³π³)