deccan chronicle-article on Rajiv

Rajeev Khandelwal will finally bid adieu to Left Right Left on August 15. In fact his role was supposed to end on July 25 itself but Rajeev agreed to stay on till August 15 because the producer wanted to end the character on the eve of India's 60th Independence Day. "Rajveer Shekhawat is a patriotic soldier. It was my producer's wish to end the character on August 15 and hence I agreed to the request," he says, adding, "I'm happy that I did Left Right Left. It may not have been a very popular show but it's being widely talked about. It's a different, classy show and people have loved it. It's not a regular drama so it can't go on and on," he says.

Talking about his role, Rajeev says since the story is based on an Army training academy, logically Rajveer Shekhawat who came to the academy on a mission should have been posted out to another front. "Honestly speaking, I felt the story was not moving ahead and my character was not going anywhere. I felt the character was being dragged on for no valid reason. My contract was for one year and though I have worked beyond my contract I felt it was high time to bid adieu before the character stagnated and lost its appeal. I am not opting out for another role; neither is the character going to be replaced with another actor," he clarifies.

Viewers will be disappointed because finally, when Naina Singh falls madly in love with Rajveer, his role is ending.

"Currently the love track is being played out but it's not going to end like a conventional love story. In fact, there is hardly any time left for the love angle! Naina will express her love but it's too late for anything to happen," says Rajeev who is clueless about how his character will end.

Quiz him on whether he is too demanding an actor, given the fact that he has the habit of re-looking at his role and revisiting the script time and again, he says, "One should always take a second look at one's work every now and then instead of just following the script that comes to you. I find it very surprising when people question my intelligence, respect and commitment I have for my work. I don't make unreasonable demands. But when I am entertaining millions of people who love my work and have given me a certain position I can't let them down by being a part of the herd."