Actor Rajeev Khandelwal recalls his meet with Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna at a film bash
Actor Rajeev Khandelwal recalls his meet with Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna at a film bash
Actor Rajeev Khandelwal recalled of his meet with Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna when he was introduced to them at a film party.
Rajeev Khandelwal’s popularity as the Darcy-esque Sujal from TV show ‘Kahiin To Hoga’ was at its peak in 2004.
The actor, who emerged as an heartthrob after the premiere of the Ekta Kapoor-backed soap opera, based on Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, revealed that even today he remembers the event where he met the who’s who of the industry.
Adding that at a party in 2004, he was taken to attend a party. First, Neetu ji walked up to him and pulled his cheeks and said ‘Rajeev, I really love you. You are lovely.’ But, Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) looked at him, said ‘Hi’ and left.
Rajeev also recognised for TV shows ‘Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat’, ‘Left Right Left’ as well as film ‘Table No 21’, also revealed amidst his media interaction that later Reena Roy introduced him to Rajesh Khanna with whom he shared initials.
“She told him, ‘He is also RK, he’s the RK of the modern generation’. Kaka was wearing his white kurta-pyjama and told him ‘You know what’s the difference between you and me? You are a better actor than me.’ Rajeev didn’t know why Kaka said that but he was so embarrassed. Then Reena took him to Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar.
At the function, Saira Banu told Rajeev that both she and Dilip Kumar like him and watch his show.
Adding that Saira then introduced him to Dilip sahab, saying that this is is the same boy, the one whose eyes you really like’. He took some time to recognise him , then said, ‘Bhai, he wanted to give him a piece of advice’ and suddenly fell silent for 30 seconds. He was going through some bout of health. Then someone came and hijacked the conversation and he never received that piece of advice from Dilip sahab,”
After the release of his big-screen debut, the 2008 action thriller ‘Aamir’, Khandelwal revealed that Dev Anand invited him to his house to offer the actor a film.
And when he went there, he touched Dev Saab’s feet because he had idolised him since childhood. He was the only actor with whom he wanted to click a picture. When he touched his feet, Dev saab asked, ‘What was he doing?’ Rajeev said that he inspire him to which Dev Saab said, ‘Then, he should be touching his feet because actors like him (Rajeev) inspire him too and he was blown away.
Another memory that’s as clear as day in Khandelwal’s mind is from an event where people from both TV and films, including Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, were present.
“I was backstage when I saw Karan and Shah Rukh walking towards me. So, I stood up as they were my seniors. Both of them introduced themselves to me and it was yet another unreal, unexpected moment that I remember when I was star struck,” he added.
From meeting Karan at a function to starring in his production ‘Showtime’, life has come full circle for Khandelwal.
In the upcoming Disney+ Hotstar series, the actor plays the role of a Bollywood superstar Armaan Singh, a character, he said, is inspired by many superstars in the industry.
“This character is a mix and match of a lot of superstars. And this is not fiction, it’s not a figment of anyone’s imagination.
“The writers, directors and me as an actor, we all have encountered several incidents on our sets. We have heard stories about a superstar who doesn’t come to set on time because he fears someone will kill him. I’ve realised that all that glitz and glamour, attention from people, and pressure changes you,” he said.
Khandelwal, who was last seen in the film ‘Bloody Daddy’, said he has never considered himself a star.
“The real meaning of stardom for me is that I am glowing in someone’s memory or that I have been able to make a place for myself in someone’s heart… I have never considered myself a star or felt like I’m someone special. There have been times when people mob you. It gets difficult to handle.
“People have torn off my shirt, I have hurt myself at events. All of this has happened, but I have still never believed that I’m someone great. I understand it’s the character they are in love with, not me. That’s why I stay away from stardom,” said the actor, who likes staying under the radar until he has to resurface to promote his work.
‘Showtime’, produced by Karan’s Dharmatic Entertainment, also stars Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, Naseeruddin Shah and Shriya Saran.
The series is created by Sumit Roy and showrunner Mihir Desai. Desai also serves as a director along with Archit Kumar. The show will premiere on Friday.
News Edit K.V.Raman
