Rajeev: Interview!

• You are making an unconventional debut in an action film with no heroine. Why?
Is there anything safe or conventional? I wanted to do a film which at the end of the day appeals to me. I got all kind of offers but nothing which I could even sleep over thinking. When I got Aamir, I knew that I had to do it. I think it helps me doing an unconventional debut. My life becomes easier and opens new boundaries for me.

• The film was shot with hidden cameras. Was it difficult?
Yes, initially it was. I used to be among thousands of people at various places, suddenly an assistant director would come and whisper, “Sir, action ho gaya.” I was worried as there was calls of ‘action’ or ‘cut’. I didn’t even know where the camera was. But later I loved the idea, it is good for an actor not to have to worry about the camera. My director Rajkumar told me to just myself.

• Don’t you think your fans will be disappointed as there is no romance in the film?
You know after Sujal, the next thing I did was Time Bomb and I was at the peak of my lover boy image. Then I did Left Right Left which had very subtle romance. Yes, I will do a romantic role soon, as I know my fans have been deprived of seeing me as a loverboy for a long time.

• What makes you a hit with women?
I don’t know. I guess it is my small town attitude and my work.

• Was surviving on television becoming difficult for you?
Yes it was definitely getting difficult to survive. I was not a very popular guy within my fraternity as I never thought that the show must go on, I always thought that creativity should go on.

• Will you ever return to television?
You tell me what is television doing these days? Is there anything path-breaking happening there? I would hate to go back to television and do the same stuff. I don’t want to say that I will never go back to television as I know that one must never say never.

• Ekta Kapoor recently said that your film will only work because of script and not because of you.
I really appreciate Ekta’s magnanimity and her kindness in keeping track of my career. Unfortunately I am too busy with my life and am too focussed on my own career to even think about what she is doing. Nonetheless my best whishes are with her.

• What will you do if you bump into her?
She is a producer and I am an actor so I would exchange pleasantries just like I would with a Ram Gopal Varma or a Yash Chopra.

• Finally why don’t you once and for all clear the air about your relationship with Aamna?
I have always said that we are good friend but you all do not want to but the story. I can’t do anything about it. She is a very dear friend and I just met her a few days back.

Credits:
MumbaiMirror