Rajeev Khandelwal Reflects on His Script-First Approach in Bollywood
Rajeev Khandelwal, the actor who transitioned from television fame to selective film roles, recently revisited one of the most significant missed opportunities of his career. In a candid interview, he discussed 'Chenab Gandhi', a highly anticipated biographical drama that was to be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali but never materialized.
The Allure of Working with Bhansali on 'Chenab Gandhi'
Despite his general disinclination toward commercial cinema, Khandelwal admitted that the chance to collaborate with Bhansali was exceptionally compelling. "I was signed by a commercial director," he recalled in his conversation with Pinkvilla. "You guys must have read about it. I was signed by a very popular film director in our industry."
He explained that he was part of a two-film deal, but the project stalled. "That was the only commercial film I signed," Khandelwal noted. "Also, that film looked commercial because it was being directed by a commercial filmmaker, but the script was one of the very few good scripts that I have read. But that film never got made. I'm talking about Chenab Gandhi. I signed the film because of the script."
Setting Conditions Before Signing the Project
Even when approached by a luminary like Bhansali, Khandelwal maintained his principled stance. He insisted on evaluating the script thoroughly before committing. Recalling his early discussions with the filmmaker, he shared, "At that time also I asked Bhansali that you should test me and you tell me you want me; after that, you give me the liberty to ask you for the script and also give me the freedom to say no."
He elaborated on his conditions: "You do whatever you want, screen test and look test, but on the day you will say, 'Rajeev, I want you.' After that, I will read the script, and I will also have a right to say yes or no." Bhansali respected this approach, engaging with Khandelwal over 15-20 days. After reading the script, Khandelwal was profoundly moved. "I was shaken up; I have never read a script like that in my life," he said. "I agreed to do it. Not because of the setup, but because the script was this."
What 'Chenab Gandhi' Was About and Why It Shelved
For the uninitiated, 'Chenab Gandhi' was one of Bhansali's most discussed projects. It was intended as a biographical drama focusing on the life of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the revered freedom fighter known as Frontier Gandhi. However, the film was eventually abandoned following reported disagreements between Bhansali and his assistant, Vibhu Puri, who was slated to direct it.
Staying True to Principles in a Compromise-Driven Industry
Khandelwal acknowledged that many actors advance their careers by acquiescing to the demands of prominent directors. In contrast, he has deliberately adhered to his values, refusing to compromise even when it meant declining offers from esteemed filmmakers. "I have deliberately stayed true to my values, choosing not to compromise on my principles," he emphasized.
Recalling Another Instance of Turning Down a Big Film
Khandelwal recounted another pivotal moment in his career where he applied the same script-first philosophy. "Another incident happened to me," he said. "I will not take the name of the film because it is well-known. I asked a very well-known director again that he should screen test me, but I told him that I will read the script, and if I don't like it, I will say no."
The director assured him that he perfectly fit the role, but after reading the script, Khandelwal declined. "I told him that 'I don't think I want to do this film,'" he recalled. "He said okay." Later, when the film was releasing with massive promotion, Khandelwal questioned his decision, especially since the actor who eventually played the part was beloved and had passed away. However, the film turned out to be a flop, validating his choice. "So I took the right call," he concluded.
Through these reflections, Rajeev Khandelwal underscores the importance of integrity and script quality in an industry often driven by commercial pressures and star power.
