#BirthdaySpecial: How Rajeev Khandelwal has aced all his roles

With dashing good looks and intense acting skills, it wasn’t really that tough for birthday boy Rajeev Khandelwal to make it big on TV. That’s why he has been able to ace every character he has portrayed on the small screen.

From playing the quintessential lover boy to a fierce editor-in-chief, Rajeev has done it all with equal ease. As he turns a year older today, we take a look at his greatest roles and how he has shone in ALL of them…read on:

Reporters:

The soon to get concluded show has a much mature Rajeev pouring his heart into the role of an editor-in-chief.  With years of experience in his kitty, he was a natural on this newsroom show…completely hogging the limelight and screens with his able presence. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that no other actor would have made a better journalist than Rajeev.

Kahin Toh Hoga:

The show that made him an overnight star and brought him legions of female fans is this epic love saga. Paired alongside Aamna Sharrif, Khandelwal’s chemistry with his co-star was the talk of the town. In fact, he was known as Sujal (his character in the show) for a long time. The show gave him many opportunities to showcase his acting chops. Whether it was the devoted lover, the loyal friend, the angry ex or the revenge-taking tycoon, he played every shade with a natural flair.

Sach Ka Samna:

It’s easier to have fans in a fiction show than a game series. But those things hardly matter to Rajeev as he brought home high TRPs and hoards of fans with Sach Ka Samna, a US-inspired game series that had contestants facing their deepest and darkest secrets in front of the whole world. Khandelwal played the neutral host to a T, never going overboard with emotions and not keeping himself completely away from the contestant either. Perfecting a mix of coolness and confidence is a rare feat, which was achieved by our favorite star.

Time Bomb:

Much before we were hooked onto the sensational happenings of 24 came a show that filled our post-dinner TV time with adrenaline shots. As the no-nonsense RAW agent Varun Awasthi, Rajeev was at his action best. From his dialogue delivery to fight sequences to strategizing missions, he owned the show like a true star.

Left Right Left:

When it first aired on TV, we were totally smitten with the realistic portrayal of Army life and cadets’ everyday struggles. Rajeev played Captail Shekawat, who kept his team together in the best and worst of conditions. It was a turning point in his career as well as Indian TV’s. Furthermore, the show was so popular that we can still hum the title track with complete gusto. 

Deal Ya No Deal:

In yet another game series, this one far lighter than Sach Ka Samna,  Rajeev perfected thethe host-cum-dost combo. He was witty, sporty, and fun, who put his contestants at ease. What’s commendable is that when he played the host, he was Rajeev Khandewal and not the myriad fictional characters he has played on TV. And that, dear readers, is his true success!

Here’s wishing him a very happy birthday and loads of exciting offers to keep us entertained for life!