All of you will remember Sujal from "Kahiin to Hoga", Captain Rajvir from "Left, Right,
Left" and other small screen game shows. Priya Rajendran puts the most sought after, dashing actor Rajeev
Khandelwal on the hot seat as he talks about his debut at Osian's, maiden film Aamir,
his leap to the big silver screen and much more in a candid tête-à-tête...
Read the full interview on The Hindustan Times
You have set a standard with your first film.
Post-Aamir’s success, will you be under pressure to do meaningful and
good films?
Have you attended the Osians Cinefan Fest earlier? Your experience(s)?
This
is my first time. Generally, film festivals are boring, but this has been a
wonderful experience for me. I was actually surprised that people still love
Aamir – one year after its release...loved the feedback and criticism that the audience gave for the film, which is my maiden venture.
I
have not set any standards in the movie. All credits to Raj Kumar Gupta, the
director of Aamir. It was his vision in the entire movie – right from costumes
to locales to actors, direction, art! As an actor, I will never forget this
film. Since this was my first movie, I had a lot of expectations myself too and
am very happy that people appreciated it and didn’t get bored.
Yeah,
there is pressure, but I am not giving importance to doing as what some people
would term as ‘intelligent’ cinema! For instance, my next few films are not as
intense or powerful as Aamir, few films are simple plots, but their themes are
unique. I do not plan my career according to what pressures I will have to deal
with to have a successful career. I will try to not bow down to the pressure.
Moreover, I will never regret any of my projects as they will be my films and
love my work.
So, are you selecting your films based on director/banner/script?
Honestly,
I go by my instincts – it's mostly the plot of the film and in fact my next few
films are being made by first-time directors. I am not at all particular about
working with big banners. What mostly matters to me is the script. Whenever I
read the script, I should be able to relate to it, it should trigger emotions
in me.
More about your next film Peter Gaya Kaam Sey...
“Peter
gaya kaam sey” is a romantic suspense thriller. While signing this movie, the
plot was interesting, the director is a British-born guy who wanted to shoot in
India who wants to do a Hindi film, music is by Sajid-Wajid, cameramen were the
same guys who shot Aamir and finally that it is a UTV banner. My instincts told
me that I should take up this project. I am also doing another film called
Return Gift.
Is there something that you want to do in Bollywood? Would you like to do
the usual masala film with Govinda-type dance and songs?
I
would love to a Govinda-type dance too. But when I look at the dance sequences,
I remember my own performances and then I think that I shouldn’t be doing it. I
must first carve a niche for myself – my brand, then only will I experiment
with all this! (laughs)
Don’t you think Aamir’s ending could have been more positive?
No.
There could not have been a better ending to the movie. How else could he have
got back to his tormentor? The only way of getting back at his tormentor –
telling him that – I am not going to be influenced by fanatics – was to kill
himself.
Don’t you think that the tormentor would have got another bakra after
Aamir?
It
is an entirely psychological film. Aamir was also guilty that he had committed
a grave blunder by leaving the suitcase with the bomb in the bus, which would
eventually kill thousands! And he was also going to lose his family, so might
as well save lives. One Aamir.
Did the scene or anything while shooting this movie - unnerve you?
Yes,
on the occasion when I was told that I was to do Aamir’s role because after
reading the script, I had realised what kind of intensity and psychological
pressure the role would demand out of me! All throughout before the film, I was
not sure of delivering the role.
But why would you want to underestimate yourself?
It
was not about my acting skills or anything. Initially, I could visualise this
film – the character and that made me feel overwhelmed by the fact that it
could be extremely tough. But, it was completely the encouragement by Raj Kumar
Gupta that I could pull it off and of course, when the shooting began, I was
supremely confident that I could do it as I completely understood what my
director wanted from me. I was familiar with the language too. We can achieve
what we set off to achieve. I got goosebumps while performing the film.
Were they real locales?
The
entire thing has been shot in real locations and my scenes were real too –
especially the scene where I vomited – that was real. Raj actually made me go
there and the stench was so strong that it made the scene real. The entire crew
was wearing medical masks. I threw a lot of tantrums. I did complain to Raj
about going back to my room or that I could not eat over there, each time, I
would tell him that I am worked up, my director would say that I want you to
look worked up, look tired. I can’t sleep at night...I had to look real. But it
worked for the movie. The climax did move me when I was actually crying. I went
through a gamut of feelings and emotions. That was not acting, it was real.
There were no two takes too.
A fear psychosis develops in the mind of every person – that of being a
Muslim or that of a being framed as a terrorist. Have you seen any of your Muslim
friends go through this entire trauma?
No,
I think it is just rumours, which travel from place to place. None of my friends
– right from my childhood – had any such experiences.
About working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in his next venture titled "Chenab Gandhi". Heard that you may be playing the lead…
It’s
a 2010 release. And I was approached by him. He had spotted me in Aamir and
decided I should be a part of his venture. I am very excited to work with him
as he is a very creative and talented director. Yes, I am playing an important
character, but nothing more than that. Nothing more than that about the movie.
Are we going to see "Sach ka Saamna – season 2"? If put on the hot seat of
Sach ka Saamna, what question would you dread the most?
I
had only signed up for 50 episodes. So, we ended it there. Not sure if I would
be able to host it as my platter is full this year! And yes, I would hate to be
on the hot seat myself!
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