Rajiv Khandelwal recently starred in the TV series Amar Vishwas, which started streaming on MX Player. In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, the actor reacted to the shelved project Chenab Gandhi, which was initially planned with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Speaking with us, Rajiv Khandelwal said, “Knowing that I was popular, a commercial film director came to me, which you all might know about. I was signed by a popular filmmaker in our industry. I signed him and I was on a two-film deal, but the film never took off. Since he was a commercial director, the projects looked commercial, but the script was one of the few good scripts that I had. Kabhi Samne Aaoge but that film never took off.”
(Knowing that I was popular, a commercial film director, whom you all might know, approached me. A popular filmmaker from our industry had signed me. He signed me for a two-film deal, but the films never took off. Since he was a commercial director, the projects seemed commercial, but the script was one of the few good scripts I ever got. Unfortunately, the film never went on floors.)
“I’m talking about Chenab Gandhi. I did that because of the script. And at that time, I remember saying to Mr. Bhansali, ‘You don’t test me first. You tell me that you want me. After that, give me the freedom to ask you for the script, and also give me the freedom to say no. I know you are a senior director, but sir, you just do the screen test and the look test first. The day you say, Rajiv, yes… I want you. After that I will read the script, then I will also keep my right to say yes or no.
(I agreed to do it because of the script. Even at that time, I remember I told Mr. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, ‘Please test me first. Tell me that you want me. After that, give me the freedom to ask for the script, and also give me the freedom to say no. I know you are a senior director, but sir, please get my screen test and look test done first. The day you tell me, “Rajeev, yes… I want you,”‘ Later I will read the script, and then I will also keep my rights.” Say yes or no.”
“He appreciated it. We kept meeting for 15-20 days. After that I went and read the script. The lead was blown away by the script and I said, ‘I’ll do it. I want to do it.’ Not because of the setup, but because of the script.”
(He respected it. We kept meeting for 15-20 days. After that, I went and read the script. Hearing it, I was moved and said, ‘I’ll do it. I want to do it.’ Not because of the setup, but because of the script.)
Watch the interview here:
Furthermore, Rajiv Khandelwal also revealed how important it is to understand a script completely, recalling that he once rejected a film because of its script. He said that despite the initial strong buzz about the film, it was not successful at the box office.
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