Rajeev khandelwal | He shot to fame with Sujal in Kahiin Toh Hoga. Since then he has been part of many TV shows including a teleplay — Court Martial for Zee Theatre and films, the latest being Ateet. He speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about how he ended up an actor and if he has been typecast

How worried are you to get back to work once lockdown opens?

I have no apprehensions. I am not even worried right now. These are testing times and we are all facing it. It is not as if one person is going through it. It doesn’t scare me. I am prepared and am a positive kind of person. I know that it will take time for us to get back to the sets. But I also know that the makers will ensure that each one of us is going to be safe. I am sure we will start only when things are safe.

What is the teleplay Court Martial about?

It is a classic play in the world of theatre that was staged back in the 80s. It is one of the much appreciated plays. Doing a pay was always on top of my bucket list. When people would ask what my dream role was or whom I wanted to work with, but I knew I wanted to do theatre. While this is not a play in front of the live audience, it has been shot like a play. For me to work with actors from National School of Drama and to be part of the 90-minute play was a huge challenge but I jumped right into it. I was very nervous but I took the plunge. Then began rehearsals and I am proud that I was part of this project.

Were there challenges that came with playing a defence lawyer?

I play an Army officer who is a defence lawyer. There were plenty of challenges but not when it came to the Defence part of it. I come from Defence background; my bother and father are in the Army. I didn’t need to work on body language or how to salute. I would help others. We also had a senior retired Army officer who was part of the play and helped with ay technical aspect. The challenge came because I had 300-400 word dialogues. I had to walk to each character and have these lengthy monologues. I had to look in front since it is a play. One couldn’t fumble since it was a collective effort. But it was fun.

Would people find a connect?

Definitely. Court Martial shows a side of the Army that few are aware of — how things were back in the 80s. The paly is issue-based and the imbalance between the officers and other ranks when it comes to previleges. In the last decade or so things in the Army have changed. The play is set four decades back and there will many takers even if they don’t agree with the subject.

Can you tell us about your film — Ateet?

The film belongs to the director Tanuj Bhramar. It is in the horror-suspense zone. When Tanuj came to give me a narration, I liked the screenplay. He told me that even though he was a first-time director, he knew each technical and action aspect of the film and needed to be trusted. I play Captain Ateet Rana who is in the Army and disappears during a mission and is believed to be killed. In the meantime, the wife has moved on and so has his best friend. The film is about what happens when he comes back.

You have done TV, films, web series and theatre. What made you work on different platforms?

It is not about platform but for the project that drives me. I am an actor and hence not limited to a medium. How many actors are there who has done projects for all mediums including hosting a show. There is a personal high — whether I can hold the attention of people across platforms.

Have you managed to move from Sujal Grewal as far as your fans are concerned?

I will never move on for Sujal fans. I can understand that. Women don’t gush over me but over Sujal. They are in love with the image that he portrayed. Women have an image of an ideal man and Sujal fit the bill — their idea of love. This is what has stuck in the minds. But I have moved on but have pocket of fans of some of the shows that I have done.

How does a person with a Bachelors in Chemistry end up acting?

I realised even back then that my future would be all about chemistry when it comes to performance. I am a graduate in the subject and therefore have a great on-screen chemistry. I am smart guy that way (laughs). On a more serious note, I always wanted to be an actor but there was something about the subject that I loved and when it come to picking up a subject for graduation, I took it up.

The industry is quick to typecast. Do you think that applies to you?

I have been typecast — people don’t know what I will do next. I am an enigma and have an unconventional approach.

While I was hosting, I was doing TV, while I was doing TV, I was doing films with varied subjects and genres. Then I do Marzi and a stage show. Each project has been different. It is just my image that has been typecast.