He said, "Whatever good I’ve done in my career, I don’t want to wipe that off with some bad decisions taken in panic."
Mumbai:
Telly actors moving to the big screen is not new in the industry. However, Rajeev Khandelwal managed to carve a space for himself in Bollywood right with his debut film Aamir. After a gap of more than a year, he'll be seen next in the action thriller Table No.21. In a tete-a-tete, the Jaipur-born actor talks about his career, co-stars and cinema.
Question: Don't you fear being stereotyped as a serious actor?
Rajeev Khandelwal: Not really. I'm just doing a different kind of cinema. It's funny how those who told me that I wouldn't be able to break the romantic image I created on TV are now saying that I'm doing serious roles (smiles). Talking of films, I'm still waiting for a classical romance to come my way. Until that happens, I'm going to continue with movies that excite my sensibilities.
Question: What kind of roles are you looking forward to?
Rajeev Khandelwal: I don't know what kind of roles I want but I do know what kind of roles I don't want to do. I could be stupid in my choice but I don't have a dream role either. If at all, my dream role has to be something that I haven't dreamt of yet something that piques my interest and makes me sit up while reading the script. I stopped dreaming after Aamir because I learned that the best films are the ones from which you expect the least.
Question: Your last film Soundtrack happened back in 2011. Isn't that too long a gap?
Rajeev Khandelwal: Whatever good I've done in my career, I don't want to wipe that off with some bad decisions taken in panic. Besides I have plenty of time and I'm not insecure. I'm patient enough to stay away from the limelight. I'm not overtly ambitious either and I don't see myself in a race against time or fellow actors.
Question: Talking of co-stars, how was it working with Paresh Rawal?
Rajeev Khandelwal: Pareshji has been very kind to me. He was the first senior actor to applaud me for my performance in Aamir. From being a fan to working with him has been nothing short of a wish come true.
Question: Will you go back to television?
Rajeev Khandelwal: As of now I don't have any plan in place but if something interesting happens, I'll surely go ahead. After all, didn't I go back to Sach Ka Saamna right after my debut film? I owe it to the small town folks who still write to me saying that they'd love to see me in TV shows. Having said that, I'm here to stay.
Question: Don't you fear being stereotyped as a serious actor?
Rajeev Khandelwal: Not really. I'm just doing a different kind of cinema. It's funny how those who told me that I wouldn't be able to break the romantic image I created on TV are now saying that I'm doing serious roles (smiles). Talking of films, I'm still waiting for a classical romance to come my way. Until that happens, I'm going to continue with movies that excite my sensibilities.
Question: What kind of roles are you looking forward to?
Rajeev Khandelwal: I don't know what kind of roles I want but I do know what kind of roles I don't want to do. I could be stupid in my choice but I don't have a dream role either. If at all, my dream role has to be something that I haven't dreamt of yet something that piques my interest and makes me sit up while reading the script. I stopped dreaming after Aamir because I learned that the best films are the ones from which you expect the least.
Question: Your last film Soundtrack happened back in 2011. Isn't that too long a gap?
Rajeev Khandelwal: Whatever good I've done in my career, I don't want to wipe that off with some bad decisions taken in panic. Besides I have plenty of time and I'm not insecure. I'm patient enough to stay away from the limelight. I'm not overtly ambitious either and I don't see myself in a race against time or fellow actors.
Question: Talking of co-stars, how was it working with Paresh Rawal?
Rajeev Khandelwal: Pareshji has been very kind to me. He was the first senior actor to applaud me for my performance in Aamir. From being a fan to working with him has been nothing short of a wish come true.
Question: Will you go back to television?
Rajeev Khandelwal: As of now I don't have any plan in place but if something interesting happens, I'll surely go ahead. After all, didn't I go back to Sach Ka Saamna right after my debut film? I owe it to the small town folks who still write to me saying that they'd love to see me in TV shows. Having said that, I'm here to stay.
