Posted by Rupal Purohit on July 29, 2024 12:26:42 PM
Exclusive: Rajeev Khandelwal talks about his casting couch experience: ‘The director was interested in me’
Talking about films and acting, the casting couch also comes along as some filmmakers mix work with personal preferences. Not only women fall prey to it, even men have experienced the casting couch. In an exclusive interview with PeepingMoon, Rajeev Khandelwal admitted that he faced the casting couch early in his career. The actor, who made his debut with Aamir, was hinted at by renowned directors before his first film.
Speaking to PeepingMoon, Rajeev Khandelwal said, “I had faced the casting couch long ago by a renowned director. Jo khud hai baar baar bolte hai main, 100 crore film ki hai burna matt. He met me and offered me a two-film deal before my debut film Aamir. My only condition was that I should hear the script first. “Aap ke naam ke piche aapne kahin 100 crore film di hai, lekin saath me kai Disaster bhi diye hai, aap unke baare me baat nahi karte hai sirf 100 crore film ke baare me baat kar rae hai.”
The Table No. 21 actor further added, “I said I wanted to hear the script but he didn’t want to give it to me. Maybe he was interested in me. I said sorry but I don’t want to be in films and ran away. I also told him I’m a straight guy and I’m not interested. He didn’t like it. He didn’t force me but he hinted at something and I refused saying that way doesn’t suit me. I never met him after that.”
Starting his career with TV shows to films like Aamir, Table No. 21, Puranam, Rajeev Khandelwal has carved a unique place for himself in the industry. His latest venture is the web series ‘Showtime’ which also stars Emraan Hashmi and Mouni Roy. The show focuses on insights into the film industry and is backed by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment. He will next be seen in Aditya Sarpotdar’s next project, directed by Munja.