$DreamRKCCRajeev(RKliciousLand(InvitesOnly)57thRK - Page 26

After shooting for over a month in the breathtaking locales of Fiji islands for his next project Table No 21, actor Rajeev Khandelwal is back in Mumbai.

And the actor pretty much enjoyed the whole experience he tells us. "It's been 36 days that we shot in Fiji and I just didn't feel like leaving. But Mumbai was calling me back." Further narrating his experience he adds, "People in Fiji are very warm and the place is quiet and serene away from all the hustle-bustle, which was like a treat. In fact, 44 per cent of the population there is of Indians which made me feel at home."

The fitness conscious actor also managed to squeeze in some time for exercise during his hectic shooting schedule in Fiji. "I loved running there as the place is very green with fresh air. So I after the pack-up I would mostly jog back to our hotel," says Rajeev.

Rajeev also had a mishap and hurt himself twice during the shoot while filming some action scenes. But we hear that the actor had refused to use a body double. "Actually I felt that the scenes would not look exciting if they didn't show my face. So I volunteered to do the shots myself rather than using a body double. Also I had worked with the same stuntperson earlier during my film Aamir. But somehow during the retakes I managed to slip and fall down," narrates Rajeev.

Having shared screen-space with debutant Tena Desae as his co-star, Rajeev is all praises for the new gal. "I must say I am mighty impressed with Tena as she is very focused and hardworking. Her role at times required her to face situations that aren't easy for a girl, but she handled it all with ease. So that was commendable. As far as whether the chemistry between us will click with the viewers, that time will decide."

Sometime back the actor went on an excursion to Ladakh with his wife. So are they both the adventurous kinds? "I am, but Manjiri is not. But I have forced her to stay in tents, camp and visit places which do not even have a washroom because of my love for the travel. But she has been extremely understanding.

So I guess I have been lucky," smiles Rajeev adding, "Marriage has taught me to be flexible and understand things better. In fact, being married made me understand and portray different shades of a married man in Table No 21."