rajiv & shweta - article

Rajiv Khandelwal and Shweta Salve who have never been out of limelight for different reasons are coming together for the first time on Sab's Left Right Left. The show, which is based in a fictitious army academy, has Rajeev playing Captain Rajeev Singh Shekhawat who is sent to the academy to train young cadets and prepare them for a career in the armed forces.

Shweta, on the other hand, plays Dr Ritu Mishra, a psychiatrist who acts as counselor. Captain Rajeev is a strict disciplinarian whereas Dr Ritu is the cadet's confidante and helpline when it comes to resolving their problems. "Captain Rajeev comes to the academy with a certain purpose in mind," says Rajeev, adding that the serial has layers of sub-plots, drama, suspense, comedy, fun and romance. "It's a complete package of wholesome entertainment with a difference."

Wholesome entertainment it may be but it does address a few important issues that concern youth. "The cadets do not come to the academy out of choice but by default. Each one has a different reason for joining the academy. They may not have come to become soldiers but they share two common factors. Money is a key motivating factor in their lives, but they also have integrity. They are proud Indians," says Shweta who as a psychiatrist knows each cadet inside out. "I have access to their brains. They have a past which reflects in their present."

Patriotism is the underlying theme of the serial. But Rajeev says there is a plot within the plot. "The core story is about the cadets but there is a story within the core story," adds Shweta who has essayed a variety of roles on television ever since she began her career on TV in the late '90s with Hip Hip Hurray. "I have played daughter, bahu, editor, corporate woman, wife who goes through a lot of trauma and so on. But Dr Ritu Mishra is absolutely different from all my previous roles."

Rajeev finds his role multi-layered. "The layers will unveil as the story progresses," he says. What happens when Captain Rajeev and Dr Ritu cross each other's path? "There is a certain chemistry between them," he smiles but refuses to reveal anything more. Apart from the chemistry they also share a common love for adventure. Shweta says, "I am an outdoor girl. I love adventure." Rajeev too is bit adventurous. He is a good horse-rider.
Getting back to the show Rajeev says, "It's a show that questions a lot of beliefs and doesn't run down the youth. In fact, it's about harnessing a youth's potential through discipline, guidance and encouragement."

Rajeev is less open about his romance with Aamna Sharif. "I am tired of denying it again and again," he says. So he's not going to propose to her? "No," he says. "I proposed to Aamna on the sets of Deal Ya No Deal when she came as a celebrity participant. But that was just for effect. In reality there's nothing between us except good friendship."