I was the daughter to my mother as I would help her in the kitchen: Rajeev Khandelwal

~India’s heart-throb Rajeev Khandelwal spills the beans on his web-series on ALTBalaji~ 

  

Rajeev Khandelwal has done it all – he has been part of films, television shows, and web series as well. On the small screen, apart from acting, the actor has hosted a few shows including a chat show. To sum it up, the 43-year-old is a jack of all trades. And currently he is glowing in the success of his new web series- Cold Lassi Aur Chicken Masala with Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya on ALTBalaji. The series is trending since launched recently, and sparks are sure flying as two powerhouses of talent Divyanka Tripathi and Rajeev Khandelwal share screen space for the first time. Rajeev Khandelwal who continues to be downright favourite with the girls, will be seen playing Vikram, a Michelin Two Star Chef  in the web series. In a little conversation we had with Rajeev Khandelwal, here’s what he had to say 

  

• Tell us something about Vikram that really interests you? 

Initially, when the creative head narrated the script to me I wasn’t sure if I want to do at this point of time. But he insisted on me reading the script first and to my surprise, I was intrigued with the way it was written and I immediately agreed. The concept was absolutely outstanding and it made me agreed to be a part of it. 

• Do you think that you and Ekta make a hundred percent success ratio kind of a combination? 

I don’t know about the success ratio, but if I look at my association with Ekta, it has really worked out not just for me but for the audience as well. They have always enjoyed and supported our association. I don’t have to think much before doing any project with Ekta as she very well knows my strengths and how to use them. 

• What are your thoughts on the cooking shows available on channels? 

My wife is a huge fan of cookery shows but I always wondered why. I love to cook too. In fact, I cook every day but I don’t follow recipes or Google them. I enter the kitchen and make something from the ingredients available and sometimes it turns out to be delicious. I believe that one needs creativity to cook and also there is a technique to it. It’s not at all an easy job. 

• Did you get extra training for this series? 

I have been doing household chores since I was a kid. I used to have rough fingers as I didn’t know the professional way of holding a knife and chopping vegetables. We were given proper training by professional chefs who taught us certain things like holding a knife, holding a pan, tossing and chopping. 

• Males in India hardly enter the kitchen. But you mentioned that you have been in the kitchen for a long time, how was it for you while growing up? Were your parents okay with that? 

Of course. My dad was in the Army and was usually posted at borders. We were three brothers at home and I was the daughter to my mother as I would help her in the kitchen. I would make tea for her or make chapattis as she was the last one at home who used to eat. That’s how I actually learned how to cook. 

• Did it ever happen in your career that you heard a script and you rejected it but that show turned out to be a huge success? 

I am lucky enough that this has never happened to me. In fact, I have read some really good scripts and rejected it, which turned out to be very dull later on. There was also this very senior director, whose script I read and before going through it I clarified with him that if I am reading the script, he will have to give me the liberty to say no. That show got made and my instinct really worked for me. I believe in my instincts and it worked this time as well when I agreed to do Coldd Lassi aur Chicken Masala. 

• Now a day’s actors are juggling many hats from small screen to web, what do you think about it 

For me, it is always the scripts and the concept that matters. For an actor, we are just acting, irrespective of the medium. The audience might think this way as they watch us on multiple platforms. When I go for a shoot, I never think that I am shooting it for a show on an OTT or TV, I just do what I am supposed to do and that is acting. My approach has always been the same as I would see in a film. 

• How was the experience of shooting with Divyanka ? 

It was fantastic. If you are a good actor and the grooming comes from television it really helps. Because of actors like Divyanka, I would say that there is some sense of discipline while shooting. We were always prepared with our lines when once we entered the sets without wasting much of a time . Rather, there was always improvising, respecting each other. And if you see our chemistry in the series, it is not just me but her as well and of course with the guidance of Pradeep Sarkar’s direction. Dada (Pradeep Sarkar)  was the captain of the ship and ensured that he brought out the best in us using our strengths. In the senior college sequence, I think I am a delight to watch as he gave me the direction and confidence. He would scream whenever something goes wrong. But eventually put everything in place. 

• In today’s world where everyone has to be up-to-date, how come you are not active on social media? 

It doesn’t suit me and I don’t feel I have it in me. Like in 2005, I was offered a first reality show but I denied and till date, I haven’t been in any reality show. 

• Would you like to be a part of the shows like Kasauti Zindagi Kay if you get the offer? 

I hate to play safe. Probably, Coldd Lassi aur Chicken Masala is the second romantic show that I am doing after ‘Kahin to Hoga’ because I consciously refused roles which I have already played. So if I believe I am a good actor, I would love to explore the other dimensions as well. 

Coldd Lassi Aur Chicken Masala is a story of two aspiring Chefs – Nitya (Divyanka Tripathi) and Vikram (Rajeev Khandelwal). The show dives into their lives as they fall in love but get separated due to circumstances. The series explores love, sorrows and misunderstanding through the heart-breaking journey of Nitya and Vikram streaming from 3rd September. 

 

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