Remember, ‘Sujal’ of Kahiin to hoga whose name itself is enough to knock the door again in every girl’s heart. He struck the right harmony by holding the screen with this debut character and then proved his acting abilities in critically acclaimed films like Aamir and Shaitan. The quintessential chocolate boy of TV is ecstatic and unstoppable in conversation. Rajeev opens up to Spectralhues in catty and chatty one on one.
Two years back, you were just another Jaipur guy who was struggling to make his own place in the industry. Now you are an example, how’s the feeling?
Of course, it feels amazing to get loved in your home town and now people here takes me as an example today. I came from the military family my father is a retrd Colenel so have seen a disciplined environment in my family always. When I chose to be an actor my family did not supported me that much initially, but today, they are extremely happy when they see me being successful.
Initially, you were slotted as the guy with chocolate boy looks, but then with time you evaluated you’re self as an actor. What bought in the changes in Rajeev?
It’s like when you get down to the thing you always wanted to do, you do it with all your concentration and power. I never planned things or set out to prove a point! I did movies what I was always passionate for doing. Television was the way for me to get into it but movies are the place where I discover an actor in me. I always believe in progression based on my conviction and by breaking new grounds which will make me better than how I was the last time. I want to grow as an actor and for that it is very important that I work for my own creative satisfaction and not for shattering a myth.
Talking about your journey, when did you discover the actor in you?
Acting was always a dream for me. I wanted to be an actor but had never gone on stage. I started participating in college events and there I really gained a lot confidence. I came from Jaipur to Delhi hunting for acting 
assignments but I drained badly but it was a learning experience. I had no friends or finances so Mumbai turned as scary for me. I had to make money for that I did many auditions for commercials. After a couple of months I 
did my first ad.
How does the transition from television to movies feels?
I never left television for films. When I quite my second show left right left, I was worried some of the other way. I was not screen tested and auditioned the film. It just happened.
You were received quite well at television as opposed to Bollywood, how you feel?
I want to grow as an actor and for that it is very important that I work for my own creative satisfaction and not for shattering a myth. I am not the kind of guy who is more bothered about the zeroes on his paychecks than the script. I will not do something that don’t make absolutely any sense to me.
You’ve tasted success as a television actor quite quicker as compared to films. Would you also concentrate on television beside films?
Whenever TV gives me anything I will do the television nothing excited then television. I believe daily soaps are much harder then films.I have been trying different kinds of things from the starting of my career. Just because I haven’t tried my hand at a typical romantic film or something like that, doesn’t mean that I am not experimenting. Even if theatre will bring out with something exciting I will definitely do it.
How did Aamir happen?
After quitting my last show, ‘Left Right Left’ on Television, I was kind of pondering over my next move. Someone sent me the script of AAMIR and I was all into it. I couldn’t let go of this wonderful film. I was not asked for any auditions or screen tests. Director Anurag Kashyap and his team had given me chance to show my talent and showed a lot confidence in me.
What was it like to host a controversial show like Sach Ka Saamna? How does it feel to be witness people’s confessions?
One thing I want to say that, it isn’t that easy to sit there. It was terribly difficult task for me to connect to them and always asked myself, if I’ll be able to confess that all in front of so many people and relatives. But actually it needs a lot of courage and hard heart to confess that all in front of camera. It comes to me as an amazing experience, full of human emotions, courage and different type of lessons at top of all.
What matters for you a good scripted film or an all time popular dhinchak masala films?
The first option, anyway! I always did and want to do the good scripted movies no matter if its rise that fame and money or not. I know I have limited audience and limited budget movies but still I took chance to do get an improvement into me by each shot. I never do a film to make myself popular I did it to discover nice actor and to invent huge characters in me. I don’t want to get lost in the crowd and do things just because they are the flavour right now. I am glad about the films that I have done.
We’ve heard that you’ve said, never again with Ekta Kapoor?
It’s not like that. I and Ekta are now just sharing a formal relation. She’s is happy in her world and I am happy in mine.
In list of all your movies, the recent film Samrat & co. also couldn’t work out for you, how is the feeling?
I have already told you that it doesn’t matter for me as I do films for my satisfaction and for nice scripts. Samrat & co was an amazing experience for me. It was a detective thriller film which hasn’t happened in Bollywood before.
Any big banners/ production houses lining up?
No big banners like YRF and Karan Johar approached me yet. But some people who make a difference to the industry have approached me. I am just holding myself back to become more polished actor and will concentrate to do them perfectly which will speak up my talent.
What’s next coming up on your schedule?
Next in line is a film with director Rajeev Zaveri’s called ‘Fever’. It’s a trilling movie, in which there are lots of intimate scenes, you would be watching me in different look romancing with 3 hot women in lead, Gauhar Khan, Caterina Murino from UK and third lead is from france.
Quicky Quick:
Any actors you want to work with
I would love to work with Mr.Bachchan.
3 words that describes you the best
Sensible, practical, intelligent.
Is there any amusing unfulfilled desire
It’s my deepest desire to go Antarctica for a holiday and will surely go within two-three years.
Your dream role
A character I haven’t imagined or dreamt of.
What loves mean to you?
It’s a feeling which you never go over with.
Something that turns you on and off
Beautiful eyes (winks) turn me on and hypocrisy is what turns me off sometimes.
What attracts you in a female?
A lady full of confidence and feminism attracts me the most.
Who was your first crush?
In class three, A girl from Nagaland wearing polka dot skirt was playing me, whom I was attracted to.
What is your deepest fear?
Claustrophobia, it’s a phobia of being closed or kept in closed box or places.
Who do you think is the hottest man (other than you) in the industry?
(smile) I don’t think I am hot but yeah in industry I feel Ranbir Kapoor is the one.
One actress you would love to romance on screen?
Kajol, she is fabulous and smoking hot.
One romantic film that you cannot stop watching:
Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.
Other than family someone you love the most is:
Friends and fans.
In your free time, you love to:
I love to do gardening.
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