He declared a war with the queen of telly world- Ekta Kapoor- at the risk of his career being nipped in the bud. He has faced the most envious questions about his female co-stars from green eyed ladies who want to take him home. His PG Woodehouse demeanor and earthy yet sophisticated appeal make him an ideal lover boy. But Rajeev Khandelwal is known to break the set path and his debut film is a thriller where he plays a commoner, caught in terror net.

The diligent and self-respected actor in a candid interview with Pallavi Bansal of Zeenews.com answered all questions patiently despite his phone buzzing all the time…
Excerpts:

Tell us something about ‘Aamir’ and why did you choose this movie as your debut?

I had heard plenty of scripts in the past. None excited me as much as ‘Aamir’ did. This was the first time a script did not let me sleep after reading it. I read it when I was flying from Mumbai to Delhi and when I landed; I called up the producers and said yes to the movie.

And about the movie, it is a beautiful story. I am romancing in the movie, not any woman though but I am romancing life itself.

‘Aamir’ is about an average middle class Indian Muslim guy who has dreams for himself and his family. He is like a normal middle class guy who doesn’t bother about the communal or political issues. When he returns home after studying abroad, a phone call throws him into the throes of a conspiracy.

The story is how he finds the way out of this trap and towards the end is left with one option- whether he accepts destiny or writes his own destiny and that is what the byline says ‘Kaun kehta hain ki aadmi apni kismat khudh likhta hain’.

Your debut film is premiering on the same day as ‘Sarkar Raj’, are you nervous about that?

I just met Abhi-Ash in the aircraft (pauses, laughs) and it was glad meeting them. I said that the movie is going to give ‘Sarkar Raj’ a tough time. No, I am not nervous about it at all, rather I am really excited. I am a big Bachchan fan and I am happy that posters are put next to his; at least, he’ll get to know that there is somebody called Rajeev Khandelwal. There is scope for two things to run simultaneously.

Is it true that you have invited Ekta to your film’s screening? Would she be coming?

Yes, it is true that I have invited Ekta for my premiere but she won’t be able to make it as ‘Sarkar Raj’ is being distributed by ‘Balaji Telefilms’ but she said that she’ll be praying for my film also.

Is it true that you have signed 3 films with UTV?

I have signed 2 films with UTV and the second film is a romantic story with different backdrop, it is not like a conventional typical story in which I am playing a loverboy finally.

I can’t talk much about the movie as we have not formally announced it. But, it is a very interesting package again with very interesting combination of director, music director, cinematographer and Rajeev Khandelwal.

Will you ever return to the place you started out with- the TV?

(Promptly replies) Would you ever go back to class 12th? I won’t really go back, it feels like I am graduate now and you are asking me to study class 12th again. Who wants to go back in life? I don’t want to go back in life.

But I would meet television if it comes on way to my new journey and becomes experimental, spectacular and grows. But, certainly I would take steps ahead and won’t go backwards and do the same shows.

Of all the characters that you have played, which is closest to your heart?

The character of ‘Varun Awasthi’; which I portrayed in Ketan Mehta’s ‘Time Bomb’. Although, the show didn’t go well; but still this character is closest to my heart.

What do you think was the reason behind the hurried winding up of Kahin Toh Hoga, your exit and the falling TRPs?

I left Kahin Toh Hoga because according to me the story was over and from there it would have been a useless stretch a la all daily soaps. From, all over the world, I was getting love and affection and ‘Sujal’ had become a national phenomenon, so it was difficult for me to be there without enjoying.

I think people just watched the show as they loved Sujal and Kashish and I know that I was giving an average performance, yet people used to say ‘wow’. I am true to my work and myself. So, I had to leave the show. And I think it was a great decision as I cannot perform if I am not convinced.

Do you visit any of the websites or your fanclubs on the internet?

No, I have never visited any of the websites where I am discussed as I hate reading about myself. I have seen that there are people who discuss my ring and all which I cannot read.

But your fans are crazy about you…

I love my fans. Instead I call them friends- they are the ones who put in an effort to appreciate my performance. I know they are crazy for me and I try my best to get in touch with them as a person. But, I can’t visit these sites as we are humans and get influenced and seeing my fans crying can make me take decisions which I don’t want to.

Secondly, reading what all it is written about oneself can easily get on one’s head and one may end up having too high an opinion about oneself.

You and Aamna were supposed to star in a film together. What happened to that?

They all are rumours. People want to see us together but unfortunately, nobody has signed two of us together. I am waiting for the right script as I won’t do any movie because we are popular as a couple.

How was your experience shooting for Humayun Saeed’s Sun Le Na in Pakistan with Aamna?

It was a strange yet beautiful experience as it was with a Pakistani unit. Those people are not as advanced as we are when it comes to technology, so we have to shoot without lights but they are quite creative and it was fun shooting as we shot in Malaysia, Dubai and I and Aamna spent some good days together. It was a great experience as Saeed is a great guy, he is like family.

You and Aamna have perfect screen chemistry; does it translate in your day to day life too?

No, we only share on-screen chemistry because I graduated in Chemistry!!! (laughs)

How do you feel when people compare you with Rajesh Khanna & Shah Rukh Khan?

The comparison between me and Rajesh Khanna or Shahrukh Khan is an insult to those guys because where they are; they are because of their hardwork of many-many years. Somebody who is just 5 years old in the industry should not be compared with as iconic as actors like Rajesh Khanna or SRK.

I would love it when somebody would be entrusted as Rajeev Khandelwal of television; I have many-many miles to go and I just wish it happens.

There were rumours that your debut would be with DJ’s creative team Deeya and Tony Singh. What happened to that?

I don’t think so that I’ll work with them ever again in my life because I don’t like them.

Are you seeing someone?

I am dying to see someone. There are so many girls in my day-to-day life that I do not feel lonely. But when I go back home I feel that someone should be there with whom I can talk at 12 in the night, with whom I can take a walk…
Someday, I am sure I’ll do that.