16 Years of Aamir: Rajeev Khandelwal says Anurag Kashyap “went from one producer to another” for THIS reason 16 : Bollywood News

Actor Rajeev Khandelwal recently reminisced about his journey from television to films, particularly his debut movie Aamir. In a candid interview with Zoom, Khandelwal shed light on the initial challenges of breaking into Bollywood as a television actor a decade and a half ago.

16 Years of Aamir: Rajeev Khandelwal says Anurag Kashyap “went from one producer to another” for THIS reason

Breaking the TV-Film Barrier

Rajeev, a popular name on Indian television thanks to shows like Kahiin to Hoga, expressed his instant connection with the script of Aamir. He revealed his surprise at established actors not pursuing the project, stating, "I wondered why no so-called 'star' is doing it."

Anurag Kashyap's Belief in the Project

Director Anurag Kashyap, who championed the film directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, faced difficulty securing producers. He recalled, "Anurag Kashyap went from one producer to another, but they weren't willing to back a popular 'TV actor' till he met Vikas Bahl." Vikas Bahl, along with Kashyap, displayed unwavering faith in the project and his talent.

Preparation and Industry Response

Rajeev shared his experience of collaborating with director Gupta and actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui during workshops. He fondly remembered the camaraderie among the first-time filmmakers and actors involved in Aamir. Describing the atmosphere after viewing the final cut, he said, "Anurag danced on top of a table after seeing the final cut." The film industry also responded positively, according to him, who stated they reacted "very favourably" to the movie.

Aamir not only marked the 28-year-old actor’s successful film debut but also paved the way for other television actors to make the leap to Bollywood. Rajeev continued to act in television shows like Left Right Left and Time Bomb 9/11 after Kahiin to Hoga. His most recent screen appearance was in the web series Showtime alongside Emraan Hashmi.

Also Read: Showtime: When Emraan Hashmi and Rajeev Khandelwal performed together; director Mihir Desai says, “What happened on set was a delightful experience”