'I am passionate about my country'

Telly actor Rajeev Khandelwal gets to shoot commands a la army officer in his latest show Left Right Left, after his small stint on Sony's Deal Ya No Deal.

With his father and brother in the Indian Army, it was only natural that actor Rajeev Khandelwal too secretly desired to wear the army uniform and shoot commands.

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However, that was not to be, as he instead found his calling as an actor. But now with Khandelwal’s latest role of Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat in Deeya and Tony Singh’s daily show Left Right Left on SAB set in the National Defence Academy, the actor has got an opportunity to live his dream in reel life.

He says about his character, “I play a captain who’s sent on a deputation but I still don’t get to wear the uniform but I can shoot commands as I train a few youngsters in the defence academy. The character I play has layers and so that makes it interesting to play because I have always believed in trying and doing different things, stuff that excites me.”                                                    

Playing the patriot

Khandelwal says that one of the reasons he chose to do this show is “the producers who are known for their quality work. The concept is path breaking and I would rather be part of something unique. I am just one part of the ensemble cast and it feels good to not be the sole face of the show.”

He says “on one hand Captain Shekhawat has an interesting equation with the kids but on the other hand he has issues with the brigadier in the academy played by Puneet Issar.” Since the makers claim that the serial, like Fauji (remember the Shah Rukh Khan serial on Doordarshan ages ago) will create a patriotic wave among the youth, what’s Khandelwal’s take on patriotism? “Like most people I too am passionate and patriotic about my country. I don’t wear it on my sleeve. The patriotic spirit is dormant in me, which keeps surfacing every now and then. I hope the spirit never sleeps ever.”

Khandelwal says that he’s always admired the work of his producers. “I used to love Banegi Apni Baat and even Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.

They have always trodden a different path. That’s the reason I feel all charged up about doing Left Right Left with them.”

Finally ask him if films are on his agenda and he says “this year, it’s just TV for me.”