In 2004, Rajeev Khandelwal’s reputation because the Darcy-esque Sujal from TV present Kahiin To Hoga was at its peak and the actor remembers a sequence of “unreal” moments at a movie occasion when he was launched to 2 of the largest superstars of Indian cinema — Rajesh Khanna and Dilip Kumar.
The actor, who turned a heartthrob after the premiere of the Ekta Kapoor-backed cleaning soap opera, based mostly on Jane Austen’s Satisfaction and Prejudice, mentioned even right this moment he remembers the occasion the place he met the who’s who of the business.
Khandelwal mentioned the night time began with actor Neetu Kapoor coming as much as him and pulling his cheeks. “I bear in mind it very clearly as a result of it was large for me. It was unreal. This was round 2004. I used to be taken to attend a celebration… First, Neetu ji got here as much as me, she pulled my cheeks and mentioned ‘Rajeev, I actually love you. You’re beautiful.’
Assembly his idols
“Neetu ji informed her husband Rishi Kapoor that ‘That is the man I actually love, he’s cherished by everybody’. Chintu ji checked out me, mentioned ‘Hello’ and left,” the actor informed PTI in an interview.
Khandelwal, additionally recognized for TV exhibits Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, Left Proper Left in addition to movies Aamir and Desk No 21, mentioned later Reena Roy launched him to Rajesh Khanna with whom he shared initials.
“She informed him, ‘He’s additionally RK, he is the RK of the fashionable era’. Kaka was sporting his white kurta-pyjama and informed me ‘You understand what is the distinction between you and me? You’re a higher actor than me.’ I do not know why he mentioned that however I used to be so embarrassed. Then Reena ji took me to Saira Banu ji and Dilip sahab,” he mentioned.
On the operate, Saira Banu informed Khandelwal that each she and Dilip Kumar like him and watch his present Kahiin To Hoga.
“Saira ji then launched me to Dilip sahab, mentioned ‘This is similar boy, the one whose eyes you actually like’. He took a while to recognise me, then mentioned, ‘Bhai, I need to provide you with a chunk of recommendation’ and immediately fell silent for 30 seconds. He was going by way of some bout of well being. Then somebody got here and hijacked our dialog and I by no means obtained that piece of recommendation from Dilip sahab,” the 48-year-old recounted.
After the discharge of his big-screen debut, the 2008 motion thriller Aamir, Khandelwal mentioned Dev Anand invited him to his home to supply the actor a movie.
“After I went there, I touched his ft as a result of I had idolised him since childhood. I had taken my digital camera and he was the one actor with whom I wished to click on an image. After I touched his ft, he requested: ‘What are you doing?’ I mentioned ‘You encourage me’, to which he mentioned: ‘Then, I needs to be touching your ft as a result of actors such as you encourage me too.’ I used to be blown away,” he mentioned.
One other reminiscence that is as clear as day in Khandelwal’s thoughts is from an occasion the place individuals from each TV and movies, together with Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, had been current.
“I used to be backstage after I noticed Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar strolling in direction of me. So, I stood up as they had been my seniors. Each of them launched themselves to me and it was yet one more unreal, surprising second that I bear in mind after I was star struck,” he added.
From assembly Johar at a operate to starring in his manufacturing Showtime, life has come full circle for Khandelwal.
About Showtime
Within the upcoming Disney+ Hotstar sequence, the actor performs the function of Armaan Singh, a Bollywood celebrity, a personality, he mentioned, is impressed by many superstars within the business.
“This character is a mixture and match of a whole lot of superstars. And this isn’t fiction, it isn’t a figment of anybody’s creativeness.
“The writers, administrators and me as an actor, all of us have encountered a number of incidents on our units. We’ve got heard tales a couple of celebrity who does not come to set on time as a result of he fears somebody will kill him. I’ve realised that every one that glitz and glamour, consideration from individuals, and stress adjustments you,” he mentioned.
Khandelwal, who was final seen within the movie Bloody Daddy, mentioned he has by no means thought-about himself a star.
“The actual that means of stardom for me is that I’m glowing in somebody’s reminiscence or that I’ve been in a position to make a spot for myself in somebody’s coronary heart… I’ve by no means thought-about myself a star or felt like I am somebody particular. There have been instances when individuals mob you. It will get tough to deal with.
“Folks have torn off my shirt, I’ve harm myself at occasions. All of this has occurred, however I’ve nonetheless by no means believed that I am somebody nice. I perceive it is the character they’re in love with, not me. That is why I keep away from stardom,” mentioned the actor, who likes staying underneath the radar till he has to resurface to advertise his work.
Showtime, produced by Johar’s Dharmatic Leisure, additionally stars Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, and Shriya Saran.
The sequence is created by Sumit Roy and showrunner Mihir Desai. Desai additionally serves as a director together with Archit Kumar. The present will premiere on Friday.