RK BACK WITH BANG INSHALLAH RK ROCK G - Page 72

Rajeev Khandelwal, who made a successful transition to the big screen with Aamir, is back after three years with his sophomore effort,Shaitan. In a breezy chat he discusses the film and more….

Your first film Aamir came in 2008 but your second film Shaitan is coming out in 2011. What went wrong and right in the interim period?

Everything went right; I have chosen my career, now I will decide how I want to live my life. I don't only want to work, I want to travel and spend quality time with my friends and family. I love to work at my pace.

So when does the shaitan in Rajeev come out?

All of us have a shaitan in us, I have plenty of shaitans in me which come out in different forms but I try my level best not to succumb to them. My definition of shaitan is the manifestation of an emotion that starts destroying you; it could be jealously, hatred or greed. I would be God if I wouldn't have gone through these emotions. In order to overcome these shaitans, you have to first identify them and thereafter try to overcome them.

What is your role in Shaitan?

I play a cop who is fighting his shaitan. His life is falling apart professionally and personally.

You played a cop in Ketan Mehta's serial, 'Time Bomb'. Did you refer to the character for Shaitan?

In 'Time Bomb', I played a RAW officer. My army background must have influenced me in both my performances. A performance in a uniform comes naturally to me, thanks to my upbringing. But I didn't revisit my past role; I am playing Arvind Mathur as imagined by Bejoy Nambiar.

Who is your favourite actor in a cop's role?

I don't have screen idols, but I loved Om Puri in Ardh Satya and Mr. Bachchan in Zanjeer. Ifthikar had a nice personality, I liked him in Don.

Were you on board for Shaitan before Anurag Kashyap came in?

Bejoy had been in talks with me for over a year and a half for the role but I said no. However, when I got a call from Anurag, I couldn't say no. I really like him.

In Aamir, you were the main protagonist. What made you chooseShaitan which has five other characters?

I can't get Aamir every time, an Aamir is written once in three decades. My job is to play a character. As far as solo projects go, I don't think anyone has done a meatier role than what I did in Aamir.

Peter Gaya Kaam Se was supposed to be your second film.

I don't know what's happening with that film; I walked away from it a year ago. I think each film has an age … I'm a very detached person.

Are you doing a film called Fever with Barbara Mori?

Yes, I'm doing a film called Fever. However, I'm still unaware if the producers have signed on Barbara Mori. But yes, the film needs an international face.

Bollywood News Service