'I don't even remember Aamna's face'

Confesses actor Rajeev Khandelwal in an exclusive interview with AT

AMRITA MULCHANDANI

Television's chocolate faced superstar Rajeev Khandelwal has successfully made the big leap from telly to Bollywood. In doing so, he has proved that if he could set the small screen on fire with his Sujal Garewal act, he could do so on the big screen with his Aamir persona as well. And he seems unaffected by his fan following: "I am busy with so many things that there's no danger of fame or fan following getting to me," says Rajeev.
Rajeev, who was in town to judge Mr and Ms Ahmedabad Times, says that he visited Ahmedabad after two years. "It was fantastic donning the mantle of a judge but honestly, I think it's too big a honour and responsibility. I enjoyed the event; there was such a vibrant energy about the whole thing. It reminded me of my college days. We never got this kind of exposure and platform, I must say that today's youngsters are lucky," he says. Rajeev also seems surprised by the changes in Ahmedabad: "While I can see rapid development and modernisation, I am happy that Ahmedabad still retains its character and the pace and people continue to be friendly."
Any areas where the city could do with some improvements? "The city doesn't lack anything at all. I never complained when I was in college (in 1994) and now that the city has grown so much, there's simply nothing that I could complain about," he replies.
While moving around in the city, Rajeev had a Gujarati thali and shopped with his nephew in a mall. "So many malls have come up in the city. I wish, we could have more things as well, I mean malls aren't the only structures that should grace a city," he observes.
On the professional front, Rajeev is doing Tanuja Chandra's Peter Gaya Kaam Se. It's a romantic thriller where Rajeev will be seen romancing and dancing. "I play a happy-golucky Goan taxi bike rider in the film. I am also going to sing and dance but I am not sure whether I am a good dancer. I have already recorded a romantic song with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and I haven't heard a song like that before." And what kind of films does he prefer? "I would love to work in all kinds of films, there isn't any one genre that I would want to concentrate on. I am just not in a rush to sign films even if there is big money or banner involved. Whatever I take up, I want to do full justice to it," says Rajeev who has already signed another film but doesn't want to talk about it at the moment. He adds, "I enjoy my work and I am not competing with anybody else but myself. I want to do films that I believe in." Rajeev says that apart from films, he is very passionate about doing something for children and old people. "I have a dream to open an old age home." What about marriage? "I have no plans to tie the knot any time soon. But when I do, and when children will follow, I am sure that I will make a good father. I adore kids, especially baby girls," reveals Rajeev. Rajeev also puts to rest all rumours about the now on and now off romance between him and Aamna Sarif. He says, "There is nothing between us. I have not met Aamna since the last seven months, and now I don't even remember her face." Well, there's hope for all
those who find him irresistible.