He’s been pegged as a ‘thinking man’s actor’, because of his choice of films like Aamir (2008) and Shaitaan (2011). Rajeev Khandelwal is back and he is excited about his upcoming thriller Table No 21. While his career might not have seen many highs, he claims that he is happy with his choices.
 
“They were brilliant choices. Shaitaan was a cult film. I don’t look at career graphs; I purely look at my roles. I hate following the beaten track or any rules. I am pretty proud of my films, as not too many actors have done such roles. I should be envied by them,” says Rajeev.

He does agree that his last release, Will You Marry Me? didn’t work, but insists that Soundtrack (2011) “was not rejected at the box-office, but was released shabbily. Yet it has been appreciated by everyone who has seen it.”
 
Talking about Table No 21, Rajeev says, “I am confident of it working. It’s an interesting, well-made film. It is a thriller, but it’s not mindless. Working with Paresh Rawal was wonderful. He’s such a warm, transparent man and full of talent. We all know that he’s a good actor but he works as hard as everyone else.”

Doesn’t he want more success? “I don’t want to appear in 50 films and pocket lots of money but not have my work appreciated. My definition of a big film is powerful content, not budget. I am not in any race, so I can work at my own pace. Secondly, the kind of films that I want to do don’t happen every day. I don’t have to work in films for money as I have invested well. And I don’t even have lofty ambitions that urge me to up my standard of living. I don’t crave for five cars and big bungalows,” he says.