The Enigmatic Actor-Rajeev's interview

Shruti

@shruti

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Posted: 19 years ago

#1

RAJEEV KHANDELWAL

The Enigmatic Actor

He's often been called arrogant and charming in the same breath. He may not be drop-dead good-looking but has the face of a poster-boy. He chucked up secured fame for growth as an actor.
Rajeev Khandelwal will be the enigma of the season The newest daily on air is Left Right Left. Produced and directed by Tony and Deeya Singh, Left Right Left on SAB TV is an inspirational and modern story. It captures the journey of six confused and disoriented youngsters who transform into strong determined individuals. The story also renders their realization for the love of their motherland along the way. At the centre of the young ones' life is Captain Rajveer, a charming gentleman with a great sense of humour. He is is at the academy on a high level confidential agenda. He is a taskmaster to the core and becomes a true mentor of the youngsters, and he is portrayed by Rajeev Khandelwal aka Sujal. Rajeev's early foray into documentary filmmaking is by now well-known. Since he has done one on the Indian Army, he must feel at home with this series. "I never was a big-time documentary filmmaker. It was more of experimenting with DD and in a small way I contributed to them. I began writing and directing documentary films. Till date, I have written about 30 documentaries on various subjects, I made a documentary on the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, old age, women's labour among many others." That experience and attraction for making a film on the army stems from his family ties — his father is a retired army officer and his brother serves in the army. So to some extent that has been his reason for doing Left Right Left. Ask if he did any preparation and he replies, "Nothing much. I did go to the Raigad Military Academy for a fitness reference point. Besides, my brother was posted in Pune till recently, so I would visit him quite regularly and had an opportunity to observe him. This kind of exposure has helped me with my body language, nuances and tone of voice. But I am not playing a man in uniform. I am seen as an instructor in plainclothes. But my body language and tone will reflect my Army grounding and discipline. As Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat I am linked with all the other characters and each has a flair of his own. Shweta Salve is a psycho-analyst, Puneet Issar is the principal and I am the instructor." Since the channel is not really a mainstream one, the show is likely to go unnoticed, but Rajeev is not too concerned, "Tony and Deeya have a wonderful track-record. Besides, my idea isn't to rock the TRP meter, I would love to do that too, but would prefer to do shows which have a definite focus." According to Rajeev, Time Bomb was always slated for 24 episodes and he is comfortable with that.

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He does not feel left out for not being seen on a high-profile channel. "I find it sad when I see actors running after shows. They are being featured in three to four shows simultaneously. It shows how insecure they are. I'm proud about all the work that I have been doing. I'd rather look ahead and do meaningful work." Having been off the hectic pace of the shooting schedule for a daily show, Rajeev avers that he's finding his rhythm. "With Left Right Left I am back to a daily after a long time. I had for sometime lost touch with the schedule." The actor is referred to by quite a few epithets, and his admires will aver that 'pin-up boy' is the most correct . He has a gaggle of girls gushing over him, when spotted. They just cannot take their eyes off his intense dark eyes. The Balaji late-night soap Kaahin To Hoga brought him to the threshold of recognition and popularity. He became the face of Sujal Garewal, the protagonist. The adulation that followed was something any young actor would have given an arm and a leg for. All this despite the fact that Kaahin To Hoga was a late night show. Yet, when he had everything going for him he simply upped and announced that he wanted out. "Sujal catapulted me to fame. I got recognition. I couldn't have asked for anything better. But I needed to grow as an actor and as an individual." In fact, many were the critics who scoffed at his foolishness.. Aware of the criticism that gathered around him Rajeev avers, "When I walked out of Kaahin To Hoga people were critical. And those who talk like that are all losers. I walked out at the peak of my association with the show, and out of the safety and security of having regular work." But he did so in search of growth and a challenge. Though he seems to be going for unconventional roles after Kaahin To Hoga, he simply can't shake off the Sujal tag, and doesn't really mind it, "I love it when I am called Sujal, and people still call me Sujal as the association is so strong. In fact, I would be hurt if I am asked who I am." Playing Sujal for an indefinite period wasn't what the good-looking actor had in mind. "I wanted the makers to know that I am capable of going beyond Sujal." So his next role was in an action serial Time Bomb which ended in 24 episodes. "I see doing such unconventional roles as a challenge to show my talent." Time Bomb with Ketan Mehta was different and challenging for the young actor at so early in his career. "It was a brilliant experience working with Ketan Mehta and Kay Kay Menon. It didn't do well as regards TRPs. But the whole thing was a learning experience," Rajeev sums up. He also anchored Deal Ya No Deal, which he enjoyed doing and was sorry it had to close down. The end credits of many a prime-time serial read 'Show Packaging - Rajeev Khandelwal'. Now considering Rajeev's association with filmmaking, it would be an obvious question if he is also involved in show packaging for some of the serials. He chuckles, "This is anther Rajeev Khandelwal. It is not the first time I have been asked this question. He too is from Delhi, but a very senior person in the industry and a good editor. When I was in Delhi making my films, some media people would often mistake me for him, but as soon as they found out I wasn't their man they would drop me. When I came to Mumbai, he was already here by then by that time, we met and laughed at the mixed-up identities."

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sim38

@sim38

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Posted: 19 years ago

#2

This is a real Rajeev Khandelwal we always love. 😊

Keep it up Rajeev👏👏

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Sowmya

@*sowmya*

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20

Posted: 19 years ago

#3

thanx for the article 😃...luved it 😛 😳
jaanu don't worry LRL will be superduper hit 👏 👏...it will rule charts 👍🏼 👏...arre isme to sweeto ki pic bi hai 😳....wow kitna sona munda haire 😳

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