Rajeev Khandelwal has revealed that financing studios were reluctant to support his debut movie, Aamir, because they didn’t want a TV actor.
In a recent chat with Showsha, he stated that Anurag Kashyap was one of the first people who showed faith in him, but still had to run around for getting the film sponsored.
The celebrity recalled, “My television character was very very popular. Anurag said, ‘I went from pillar to post saying I have Rajeev here, who is very popular and they replied we don’t want popular! Even a newcomer is fine, but no TV actor.’ ”
Rajeev had garnered immense fame from his lead role as Sujal Garewal in the 2003 drama serial, Kahiin to Hoga, which brought him groups of fandom.
Despite this, no producer had enough confidence to invest in his big screen appearance, but the No Smoking director kept pushing for him, ultimately convincing Vikas Bahl.
“Anurag had that conviction. He finally met Vikas Bahl from UTV. Vikas asked, ‘Why do you want Rajeev? Is it because the budget is less?’ Sometimes it is difficult to convince the makers to give you the opportunity,” the actor remarked.
According to him, showing your capability to filmmakers can be much more difficult than the audience accepting you.
When Aamir released in 2008, Rajeev finally got a chance to show everyone his skills, but failed to make a mark in Bollywood, even after being given various lead chances with Soundtrack, Samrat & Co., Table No. 21, and other pictures.
Since then, he has been hired for side roles in productions like Salaam Venky and Bloody Daddy.
