| | Miffed, but I'm not showing it:
The Left Right Left cast Vikas Maniktala, Shveta Salve, Rajeev Khandelwal, Kunal Kapoor and Priyanka Bassi at the fashion gala | Rajeev Khandelwal sashayed down the ramp for Provogue's new line at a Juhu nightspot recently.
This was part of the launch of the title track of SAB's new show, Left Right Left, which stars Khandelwal, along with Shveta Salve, Priyanka Bassi, and Kunal Kapoor, Produced by Tony and Deeya Singh, this campus life drama has Provogue styling the cast.
Pay me
Immediately after the ramp walk, Khandelwal left the venue, miffed. To begin with, he was clueless about the catwalk. When he realised he was expected to walk the ramp, he wasn't thrilled.
He felt his name was being used to gain mileage for the event. He also made noises saying that, had he known beforehand, he would have asked for a fee, because Provogue was using him for publicity.
Khandelwal refused to comment at first. Later, he said, "Yes, I did leave the venue immediately after the event. Anyway, I am uncomfortable at parties and avoid them.
I was at the event because of the channel and the production house; my presence was solely due to the fact that I am acting in the show. I never asked for a fee. I don't think my name is so big to be used for publicity," says Khandelwal, who also anchors Sony show, Deal Ya No Deal.
Apparently, the deal to showcase the cast with the new line, was finalised between the producers and Provogue. Did the production team inform him?
Says producer Deeya Singh, "I was not in town (her co-producer and husband, Tony Singh, was present at the event) on that day, so I am not aware of this. But it was more of an introduction of the cast along with the title track. They were not walking the ramp technically. But as the ramp was the stage, they had to walk down it."
No 'star' treatment
Apart from the ramp bit, Khandelwal was angry about the backstage treatment. He wasn't given a separate make-up and changing room. According to an eyewitness, "He was extremely peeved that he had to share the make-up room with other models."
Says Khandelwal, "Yes, there were certain shortcomings which I voiced to the channel and the production house. Who else could I air my grievances to? I was there solely because of them." |
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