I am the best of the worst: Rajesh

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Rajesh Khattar (TOI Photo)

'People want to know when I will die!'


"Try finding a better villain than me. I am the best of the worst!" Rajesh Khattar smiles, as he states that he loves playing the role of the antagonist, on screen, that is. His character in Left Right Left is also a negative one, but Rajesh says it's one with a difference, as the serial is not the usual run-of-the-mill kind.

"I play a complete baddie in it. People walk up to me and actually ask me when I will die! So I guess I must be doing something right for them to hate me so much!" laughs Rajesh.

So has playing the bad guy become Rajesh's forte? "Well, honestly, I give my best to every role, be it good or bad. I consider myself as the audience first, then a performer. The character has to interest me first, only then can it interest the audience. As a performer, I get a high not by what is apparent in the character but by what lies beneath it. I get into the skin of the character," explains Rajesh, who is all set to start another project on the small screen in the near future. "It's different from everything I've done so far," is all Rajesh is willing to reveal at this point.

Having been in the television industry for over 15 years now, does Rajesh feel he's got his due on TV? "I've got my fair share of appreciation, and I've definitely grown as an actor, but I never expected to be an icon. I took a brief break in the middle and took to writing and voice-overs, but that was because nothing on TV was exciting me at that point. Whatever I do is an extension of my persona. I give it my best shot, and I learn something from everything I experiment with."

Move on from the small screen to the big bad world of Bollywood. Are any more cameos in the pipeline? "Yes, and a full-fledged film too. But I'm a bit superstitious, I'd rather not talk about it now."

But what Rajesh is willing to share is the success of his latest play The Perfect Divorce. "My foundation in acting has been serious theatre: Albert Camus, Arthur Miller, Shakespeare. It's really the best medium to learn the craft," says Rajesh, candidly admitting that he's not a natural, but is a "thinking actor."

Go on to ask about the status of his relationship with Vandana Sajnani, and the on-screen villain smiles coyly, "Marriage should be on the cards soon..."