He became the heartthrob of the nation while portraying the character of Sujal Garewal in ‘Kahiin To Hoga’ on Indian Television. There has been no looking back for the star after that and along with success in ShowBiz, his popularity kept on rising. Rajeev Khandelwal proved himself as an actor in all kinds of media – be it on TV, films or web and also as a dynamic host over a period of time, who doesn’t need further introduction. He is now seen hosting ‘JuzzBaatt…Sangeen Se Namkeen Tak’ – Zee TV’s new talk-show. The star gets candid with Devyani Purkayastha and reveals his life as an actor, the person who he is, his lifestyle, work and many more in an exclusive interview.
Why ‘JuzzBaatt…Sangeen Se Namkeen Tak’ is different from other talk shows?
There is no difference. A talk show is a talk show. Only the people and their stories are different. In the same channel (Zee TV), Farookh Sheikh Saab’s talk show “Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai” was also meant to tell the unheard stories of the celebrities. The difference lies in the story and storytelling. Every host has his own style of talking, different approach, different presentation skills. Ours is an honest show. Here, every episode will be different from the other. If you watch us dancing in one episode, you may see us having serious conversations in the other. Each episode will be different from the other. People from all walks of life will be our guests. The public figure in our show may be an actor, a sportsperson or a politician. Our focus will only be on the story. The producers believe I can handle the show aptly!!(laughs)
Can you elucidate more?
See, everything starts from Juzzbattt.This is what makes us who we actually are! Everyone knows the name of a famous person. But hardly people know about the actual normal person behind the mask of name and fame. In a sententence, I am there to reveal the common man behind the mask of a celebrity. And doing that will be very exiting and entertaining!
How have you prepared yourself to host this talk-show, which is completely different from the previous show you hosted? Let us know about your homework.
Frankly speaking, I don’t want to prepare myself for the show. I just want to enjoy the show, learn and understand from it. (Laughs) ! I tell you the reason. See, the show is a “Dil Se Dil Tak “ affair – so it is better I don’t prepare myself. If I pre-plan everything, the conversation won’t be spontaneous, it can’t be “Straight from the heart”. I will rather be a ‘dost’ , not a host for the celebrities coming on my show. We have a strong research team which has every important information about the celebrities coming as guests. The show ‘Sach Ka Saamna’ had to follow a particular format, the questions were also fixed, while this show has no fix format. Here, the conversation will go with the flow. I will try to bring out the hidden emotion of the guest sitting in front of me. I have experience from my previous reality show ‘How to handle people’s emotions’. I will try to create such an atmosphere around the celebrity so that he or she can open up freely with ease and share his or her journey. To tell you the truth, I am very nervous about my come back as a host.
You are also a celebrity. So, how is the actual Rajeev Khandelwal behind the mask of a celebrity?
I am an ordinary person. There is nothing extraordinary about me. It is my work that makes me special and different in your eyes. When I drive back home from work, I am a normal person who makes his own tea and even mops his own house! (laughs). I always execute my own tasks, even fold my T-shirts myself. I always like to be fit, not because I am a celebrity. I don’t want to be dependent on others when I become old. I am responsible for who I am. So this is me! Nothing extraordinary.
From TV to films to the web, you have explored everything. Which one do you find the best? Which medium do you find more challenging?
For me, the medium doesn’t make any difference. I’m still acting and that’s what is important. With time and technology, the space will keep changing. We are getting lots of options in the medium of entertainment. Every medium has its own audience and hence all are expanding. In a way, I find cinema as well as web are similar because we get the script in advance, it is shot and then released either online or in theatres. But as an actor, all the three are same for me. Once I’m in front of the camera, I don’t think about the medium.
Go on!
However, television is very demanding. TV actors get four takes to get a shot okay, while in films, actors can take 15 or more. TV actors shoot episodes day and night as the telecast is on and have to accommodate last-minute changes according to the audience feedback. They work under tremendous pressure as they know the show won’t get telecast if the next episode is not ready on time. Yet, a three-film old movie actor gets much more exposure than a TV actor who has worked successfully for four years.
Would you like to experiment and explore more spaces?
Yes I would like to do theatre, I have high regards for theatre. I want to act on stage, which will be challenging as there is no scope for a retake.
What do you like the most? Acting or hosting?
Honestly, I won’t be able to tell you which one is better, it is indeed difficult for me to describe. Both are challenging in their own way. But while hosting, you have to be real, you have to be yourself, you cannot be fake.
After Reporters, why didn’t you go for a daily soap till now?
I got lot of offers, but I didn’t find them exciting. I was approached for a mythological show, but I politely turned it down. I didn’t even ask what they wanted me to play that role because I found nothing interesting. Today, the taste of the viewer has changed drastically. Some of them have either moved on to the web or are watching international series. Nowadays, if one show works, it leads to a lot of prototypes. I’m just hoping that something like Reporters, which was different, comes to me, and then I will think about it.
It is known to all that you take a long break between your projects. Is it done on purpose?
I need mental peace, so I need breaks to rejuvenate myself. If I divide my life into parts, one-fourth of it would only be for work and rest dedicated to my personal space. I love to spend time on myself. I travel a lot. I have a house in Goa, I love doing gardening there. I grow lots of organic stuff. I work out, go for cycling trips & above all I like to take care of my parents – these are more important to me. I want to enjoy my personal life to the fullest.
How do you foresee the web as a medium of entertainment?
Web as a medium has opened up with a bang! The TV viewers aren’t even aware how big the medium is! Lots of revenues are generated online because there is a huge base of online audience in our country. It is an entirely different world and since people know I like to do diverse stuff, I was offered a lot of web shows. But I wasn’t sure how many people actually watch them. There is definitely a paradigm shift in the medium as we have multiple options now. It is really good that no genre is untouchable nowadays.
What prompted you to do Haq Se?
When I was approached for the web series and was told that it is being handled by Ekta, I decided to go ahead. Ekta knows her job very well. When I was given the script, it blew me away.
Let me know about your upcoming films!
Well I have recently shot one. I will reveal about it shortly!
