chat with Rajeev Khandelwal…
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 choose Shaitan 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.
SHOWTIME | Sunday, June 5, 2011 | Email | Print |  | Back See it Coming June 05, 2011 12:14:52 PM Shaitan Stars: Arshad Warsi, Kalki Koechlin, Jackie Shroff, Shiv Pandit, Rajit Kapoor Shaitan is the story of 5 youngsters set in the urban cape of Mumbai. Amy, Dash, KC, Zubin and Tanya. Young, intelligent, good looking and 'uber cool'. With no hang ups and no boundaries, excitement is what they seek till a 'moment' changes everything. An accident and their actions to cover up lead them through a series of incidents across the roads, streets and by lanes of Mumbai and into the dark side the lurks within all of us — The Shaitan. Inspector Mathur entrusted with the unenviable task of chasing the youngsters down exposes the underbelly of the Police system and crime while grappling with his inner Shaitan. The confluence of the two sides brings across the ultimate explosion of action drama and thrill on Indian screens that are best described as real and raw. Rajeev Khandelwal: Inspector Arvind Mathur: A sincere, honest and upright police inspector who specialises in kidnapping cases. Quite often, his sincerity towards his profession and the angst within has got the better of him, both at work and at home. Kalki Koechlin: Amrita Jayshankar aka Amy: Attractive, aggressive teenage daughter of a rich NRI. Amy has just returned to India with her father and stepmother. She prefers to live life in her own world and takes refuge in her music and her mother's memories. Shiv Pandit: Dushyant Sahu aka Dash: Retired at 23, Dushyant lives life on his own terms. A shady past that includes underworld contacts; he has been there and done that. Gulshan Devaiya: Karan Chaudhary aka KC: He has the money, he has the style and he has the women. Life is one big party for this dude. 'Fun' is his middle name. A quirky sense of humor and a temper which tends to go beyond control. |
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