Khandelwal mentioned the evening began with actor Neetu Kapoor coming as much as him and pulling his cheeks.
“I keep in mind it very clearly as a result of it was huge for me. It was unreal. This was round 2004. I used to be taken to attend a celebration… First, Neetu ji got here as much as me, she pulled my cheeks and mentioned ‘Rajeev, I actually love you. You’re beautiful.’
“Neetu ji informed her husband Rishi Kapoor that ‘That is the man I actually love, he’s liked by everybody’. Chintu ji checked out me, mentioned ‘Hello’ and left,” the actor informed PTI in an interview.
Khandelwal, additionally identified for TV exhibits “Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat”, “Left Proper Left” in addition to movies “Aamir” and “Desk No 21”, mentioned later Reena Roy launched him to Rajesh Khanna with whom he shared initials.
“She informed him, ‘He’s additionally RK, he is the RK of the trendy era’. Kaka was carrying his white kurta-pyjama and informed me ‘You recognize what is the distinction between you and me? You’re a higher actor than me.’ I do not know why he mentioned that however I used to be so embarrassed. Then Reena ji took me to Saira Banu ji and Dilip sahab,” he mentioned.
On the operate, Saira Banu informed Khandelwal that each she and Dilip Kumar like him and watch his present “Kahiin To Hoga”.
“Saira ji then launched me to Dilip sahab, mentioned ‘This is similar boy, the one whose eyes you actually like’. He took a while to recognise me, then mentioned, ‘Bhai, I need to provide you with a bit of recommendation’ and all of the sudden fell silent for 30 seconds. He was going by way of some bout of well being. Then somebody got here and hijacked our dialog and I by no means obtained that piece of recommendation from Dilip sahab,” the 48-year-old recounted.
After the discharge of his big-screen debut, the 2008 motion thriller “Aamir”, Khandelwal mentioned Dev Anand invited him to his home to supply the actor a movie.
“After I went there, I touched his toes as a result of I had idolised him since childhood. I had taken my digital camera and he was the one actor with whom I wished to click on an image. After I touched his toes, he requested: ‘What are you doing?’ I mentioned ‘You encourage me’, to which he mentioned: ‘Then, I needs to be touching your toes as a result of actors such as you encourage me too.’ I used to be blown away,” he mentioned.
One other reminiscence that is as clear as day in Khandelwal’s thoughts is from an occasion the place individuals from each TV and movies, together with Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, have been current.
“I used to be backstage once I noticed Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar strolling in the direction of me. So, I stood up as they have been my seniors. Each of them launched themselves to me and it was one more unreal, surprising second that I keep in mind once I was star struck,” he added.
From assembly Johar at a operate to starring in his manufacturing “Showtime”, life has come full circle for Khandelwal.
Within the upcoming Disney+ Hotstar collection, the actor performs the function of Armaan Singh, a Bollywood celebrity, a personality, he mentioned, is impressed by many superstars within the business.
“This character is a mixture and match of plenty of superstars. And this isn’t fiction, it isn’t a figment of anybody’s creativeness.
“The writers, administrators and me as an actor, all of us have encountered a number of incidents on our units. Now we have heard tales a few celebrity who would not come to set on time as a result of he fears somebody will kill him. I’ve realised that every one that glitz and glamour, consideration from individuals, and strain modifications you,” he mentioned.
Khandelwal, who was final seen within the movie “Bloody Daddy”, mentioned he has by no means thought of himself a star.
Shah Rukh Khan chants ‘Jai Shree Ram’ at Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding bash; video goes viral
“The true which means of stardom for me is that I’m glowing in somebody’s reminiscence or that I’ve been capable of make a spot for myself in somebody’s coronary heart… I’ve by no means thought of myself a star or felt like I am somebody particular. There have been instances when individuals mob you. It will get tough to deal with.
“Individuals have torn off my shirt, I’ve harm myself at occasions. All of this has occurred, however I’ve nonetheless by no means believed that I am somebody nice. I perceive it is the character they’re in love with, not me. That is why I steer clear of stardom,” mentioned the actor, who likes staying below the radar till he has to resurface to advertise his work.
“Showtime”, produced by Johar’s Dharmatic Leisure, additionally stars Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, and Shriya Saran.
The collection is created by Sumit Roy and showrunner Mihir Desai. Desai additionally serves as a director together with Archit Kumar. The present will premiere on Friday.
