He's been one of the least visible stars on the small screen recently, yet one of the most talked about ones. Fame shadows the former Sujal wherever he treads, even if it happens to be a trek to a neighbourhood eatery.

Rajeev - breaking a long silence

After quitting Star Plus' Kahiin To Hoga last May, Rajeev Khandelwal has chosen his few TV roles with care, inviting much speculation from his fans and media. But the reticent actor prefers not to make public the reasons behind his decisions, whether professional or personal.

In a rare chat, Rajeev opens up to Telly Chakkar, during the rehearsals of Sony's Deal Ya No Deal, which he will begin hosting from next week.

You are going to be back after a long break....
I won't say it was a break...I just slowed down my pace. I just wanted to live my life my way. I am not one of those who get insecure if they stop working for a while, not one to go after money. Instead, I spent my time with my family, indulged in adventure sports, the works... I believe that if you are good, work will always find you!

You must have had a lot of offers coming your way?
Yes, there were lots. In fact, all the big programmes that launched in the last one year went via me. I didn't exactly turn them all down, I just told them that I wasn't prepared for a new project just yet. Most of them didn't excite me to the extent that I would like to jump into the project, and yes, I was in a mood to slow down anyway.

Any regrets for turning down any show?
Unfortunately, no. I would love television to come up with real good software, but mostly, shows that have come up in the last one year, have been lacklustre. I don't think there's any show I said no to, that's gone ahead and become a raging hit.

After Time Bomb, why did you take up a short assignment with B P Singh's CID?
I had heard tell about B P Singh's reputation of being a hard taskmaster, a guy who doesn't let anyone get a word in! But when I met him, I realised that he was a much misunderstood man! He gave me so much importance, inspite of being such a stalwart in the television industry...he was good enough to tell me that he wants me on that show.
In normal circumstances, I probably would not have taken up such a project...but it was B P Singh, and the production house functioned very differently, and then it was a show that had been running for eight years!
I also wanted to know for myself whether I would be able to make a difference to the show....and I think I survived, and managed!

"I think I have got more than what I deserve"

Wasn't it a completely different experience, not playing a lover boy image, both in Time Bomb and CID?
I think I have always got more than what I deserve. People have been overly kind to me, and that's why I want to experiment and want to prove it to myself that I deserve what I get. I think it explains why I am not frivolous in my
career, and take my time to make decisions.

There was talk that you would be working in another big serial with B P Singh. Was that about Akela?
I would love to work with the Fireworks team again. After working with CID, I was very comfortable with the entire team. But that doesn't mean I would work on just any concept. Akela is a brilliant concept, and I really hope it works, but I just couldn't see myself doing a supernatural thriller. Someday, in the future we will work together on a project we both love.

Why then did you take up these two projects?
Hosting a show is a big challenge for me. It wasn't in my plan of things. But when I saw the American episodes of the show, I wanted to be there - where the anchor was! As a third person, I saw myself doing a lot of things....and that gives me a huge kick! To be in the spotlight always, is not something very easy....let's see....I will soon realise how good or how bad I am

As far as Left, Right, Left goes, I want to work with people who will help me grow in life (Tony and Deeya Singh). It's a daily soap, but not the typical saas bahu type. I play an armyman in the show. Since I have decided to do more TV, I opted for a daily soap that would please my fans too!

"The bigger challenge is in making a smaller channel work"

Wouldn't your critics carp about your comeback show being on Sab TV?
I really don't believe in the monopoly of the big channels. I know it's a safer bet if you work with the bigger channels, but the bigger challenge is to work on the smaller channel that's just coming up, and make it work. Secondly, nothing from the big channels offered to me in the last six to eight months has really gone and become a super hit. All the programmes that are surviving are the ones that have been around for three years or more! I have to make a choice, and more than the channel, I believe in the makers of a show.

The first narration excited me....I am a guy who follows his instints...I loved the concept in the first go.

Is it an action oriented role?
Not at all...it's purely driven by emotions. It's got nice interesting characters as well. Shweta Salve has been finalised as one of the leads.

You are also doing a soap with Aamna Shariff?
We are just shooting a pilot, even the channel hasn't yet been finalised. The pilot is yet to be completed.

Is there a pattern to your appearances on shows that have been on Sony, or Sab...which again is a Sony sibling?
It's been a coincidence that most of my recent appearances have been on Sony. And when I was told Deeya and Tony's new show too would be on Sab, I thought....thought for a day, in fact. Because I knew there would be critics ready to say that I took it up as I wasn't getting work on any other channel....
But then, it doesn't really matter to me, and I am happy doing what I am doing. Eventually, I am answerable only to myself.

No more action - Rajeev in Time Bomb

What about films?
I have met a lot of filmmakers, read a lot of good scripts. Unfortunately, all the concepts I liked are still pending. And unfortunately, most makers want me to launch their film, whereas ideally I would like them to launch me! So, you see, I am waiting for the correct launch..
I knew that if I have to survive in films, my first film will be crucial for me. Maybe that's why, till the end of this year, I don't see films happening to me.

So I decided to continue with television. In fact, I was never going to say bye to TV, because I had already signed something on. I won't run after films, if I am destined to do films, I will!

How have you used your time in the last six months?
Hmm, I have been gymming, indulging in a lot of adventure sports. I have lost weight. I have always been big into sports, and in the last five months, I have been catching up on tennis and squash big time, also did a lot of swimming and jogging - things I really care for, but never had the time for!

I also used the time for travelling extensively, both in India and abroad. I spent a lot of quality time with my parents, went river rafting with them and my aunts too!

Did your parents egg you on to cut short your break?
I guess they reacted like any normal parents would. The question I have answered the most in the last six months is, "When do we see you again on TV?" I didn't know how to handle it, because I didn't want to do something just to please them. I guess all actors go through this, if they have to follow their heart!

Rebel with a cause?

I guess you have always been a rebel of sorts at home....
(laughs) Don't know if I can call myself a rebel, but I think my parents know that eventually I do what I want to do. And they respect me for it. So, they have stood by me and answered people's queries by saying that if you want to see Rajeev again, they would just have to wait some more!

Now, of course, they are feeling much, much better, and they have the answers to all those people....
The good thing about all this was that people wouldn't tell my parents that 'Rajeev is missing from TV' but that 'we are missing Rajeev on TV'. I think that's important.

Do your parents also want to know when you are getting married?
Umm, they don't really ask me that any more. Yes, my younger brother got married last year. But my parents know that whenever marriage has to happen to me, it will.

Is that happening in the near future?
In the near future, no. Of course, this is life, and you never know what might happen when.

Several factors drive people from this industry to astrologers and numerologists. When will we see you adding an 'e' or an extra 'r' to your name ?
Never. I just don't believe in these things. You will never catch me consulting anyone on my future or changing my name, ever. Sanjay Jumaani is a very good friend, and every time we meet, I tell him, "Don't tell me anything," and he says I don't need to, either!

I don't think all these things make a difference. I believe in karma, I believe that you are responsible for your actions. Destiny wants me to get something, I will.

Chilling out for the last five months - Rajeev in play mode

So, what's this 'Deal...' that life has handed to you?
Deal... is an extremely simple game. I am not even the anchor, I am what can be described as a 'madaari'! I am just making the contestants play the game. Not even the referee, my presence just helps them know the pros and cons, and in which direction they are going.

I wish I had some more time to get comfortable with the idea, but I don't. I begin shooting on 20 April. I am not comfortable with that too, yet, but somewhere in my heart I know, that when the camera turns on me and the first participant, we both are going to enjoy the game!

Considering you are not a mercenary yourself, won't it be difficult convincing people to go in for the higher amounts?
That's the fun part of it. I would want to be part of their happiness, and taking them towards it. There will be a lot of people winning money, and a lot of people losing it too. I am going to be very fair and neutral and I am going to be with them. Obviously, it gives me a lot of pleasure to see other people grow.

One last question. What about Aamna?
Aamna....umm, suddenly I think of a very beautiful girl. We are extremely good friends, we meet often. I did all I could to help in setting up her new house recently.

I don't know if the onscreen chemistry we share is really something, or made up by people after I left the serial. I would love to go back to the episodes and really sense all that!
I think I became far more popular after I left the show, because people missed that chemistry between us.

Check previous interviews with Rajeev -

"I am afraid to start from scratch!" (15 June 2005)
"My simplicity is being misinterpreted" (16 June 2004)
Revealed! The real Rajeev Khandelwal! (18 August 2004)
Simply Sujal (11 August 2004)