The truth about Rajeev Khandelwal

Rajeev Khandelwal is back on television with what can be termed as a dream return. He is hosting arguably one of the biggest shows ever on television titled Sach Ka Saamna. The actor initially was not too keen on accepting the offer but discloses that it were the clippings of the original show (Sach Ka Saamna is an adaption of an international acclaimed show called Moment of Truth) that prompted him to sign on the dotted line. He had earlier hosted a few episodes of another game show Deal Ya No Deal, on Sony which apparently wasn’t critically up to the mark. Surprisingly the host is a shy conservationist and it needs persuasive skills to draw him out. With Sach ka samna just having gone on air we corner Rajeev to chatting with us. The reticent actor talked about his alleged affair with Aamna Shariff, his current love interest and his new avatar (host). Excerpts: You never really accepted the truth about your alleged link-up with a popular television actress (read Aamna Shariff)? I never denied anything as there was actually nothing then. I am man enough to accept and admit my relationship. You must have read recent reports where I have accepted my relationship. What prompted you to host this show? The concept of the show charmed me and thus I accepted it. Like any other ambitious guy I would not like to miss anything challenging, exciting and unusual. I want to make sure that when I look back at my work I should be proud of my achievements. I want to do shows which are not just run-of-the-mill kinds. I wasn’t ready to host this show till I became aware of the concept. Babu (Siddharth Basu) has called me up and offered me to host a show. My immediate reaction was that I have the time to do the show. I saw the DVD of the international show and told myself that if ever I have to host any show then it has to be this. I feel so proud to be a part of this show. Were there any contractual limitations from your film producers? Yes, there were certain initial hiccups. They didn’t want the look of my second film Peter Gaya Kaam Se to come out. I just requested them to watch the series of the DVD that Babu has given me. After watching the CD they gave me the go-ahead to do the show. The look though in the movie is completely different. Here I am trying to push my locks back with the help of gel to look decent and composed. Whereas, in the movie its all the more wild. As the promos suggest the contestants will be fielding some really uncomfortable personal questions. How comfortable or uncomfortable were you throwing those questions? Oh! I was uncomfortable asking such questions. Infact, everytime I have to throw such questions I tell the respective contestant that the next question I have to ask makes me uncomfortable so I can only imagine how uncomfortable you are going to be while answering the same. But some of the questions may even break families? Or can make the families as well. See unfortunately we all have a very negative attitude towards the truth and it’s so ironical that we, the same people, also propagate the ideology that one must always speak truth. How long can a family survive on a bundle of lies? I feel that truth buried deep inside can be fatal. In the Indian milieu such openness is not yet acceptable? No, I disagree with you. When you see the show you would realise that the questions I ask help in bringing out the truth whether positive or negative. It might help a wife mend relations with her husband and family. We do not drag people from their houses to come on the show. They are well aware in advance what they are getting into and the questions they will be asked. And as you said if a wife decides to come on the show there has to be some motivation or drive behind it. And despite knowing the sort of questions she will be asked if she is keen on appearing what right do we have to be judgmental about it? I was equally judgmental before doing the show but hosting this show has changed me. The international concept has some explicit content but the Indian format will be toned down a bit considering the Indian sensibilities. Don’t you think that would take the sting off the show? Yes, we have taken Indian sensibilities into consideration. But what you have seen is just a teaser trust me there is lot more in the offing. Was there any difference between the reaction to the answers given by the girls, boys, youngsters or the adults on the show? My heart goes out to the women (laughs). I can’t make out as I am there as a host doing my job. Married women actually had the courage to come out in the open and accept the truth. Have you prepared yourself for this show? I have not worked on my hosting skills on the show. I just decided I will go and be myself. I will deal with them on a human level as it’s definitely not easy considering the kind of questions I have to ask. Is hosting easier than acting? These are two different things. Hosting this show wasn’t an easy job as it is not normal old school hosting. Here you are confronted with a contestant whose past and present is right infront of you like an open book. You have to handle the entire show wisely. You have a script when you are acting but there was no script here. I just hope people accept me as a host and remember me for this show. On what occasions do you lie? I am a normal human being who lies at the drop of a hat. Supposedly, if my mother rings me to find if I have had my food I end up lying to her. Would you like to be a participant on Sach Ka Saamna? No, not at this point of time. I am not afraid of facing the truth but I am not is a state to disclose all the intricate details of my life.