Meet actor who became overnight star, faced casting couch, was thrown out of his house, Dev Anand wanted to touch his feet; His name is...

India.com

16-06-2025

Some actors come and go, but there are a very few who leave a lasting impression with their first show as lead actor. In 2002, this actor got a big opportunity to work in Ekta Kapoor's romantic drama. He won hearts as the lead actor, where he played the role of Sujal Garewal. The show's name was Kahiin Toh Hoga, and the actor in question is Rajeev Khandelwal.
Rajeev has been making headlines recently after his interview went viral. He always wanted to become an actor. But coming from a Marwari family where his father served in the Indian Army as Lt. Col. C.L. Khandelwal, his parents were against the idea of him making a career in acting.
The actor, who earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad, said in an interview with Zoom, 'I was thrown out of my house. I come from an army background. My parents said they didn't understand what this industry is all about. They knew that I had it in me to live my life decently but they wondered 'acting ka bhoot kaha se aagaya'. They knew that I spoke about acting since my childhood, but they never thought that I would want to make it my career.'
In an old interview, he recalled a series of 'unreal' moments at a film party when he was introduced to two of the biggest superstars of Indian cinema – Rajesh Khanna and Dilip Kumar.
After the release of his big-screen Rajeev Khandelwal said Dev Anand invited him to his house to offer the actor a film. 'When I went there, I touched his feet because I had idolised him since childhood. I had taken my camera and he was the only actor with whom I wanted to click a picture. When I touched his feet, he asked: 'What are you doing?' I said 'You inspire me', to which he said: 'Then, I should be touching your feet because actors like you inspire me too.' I was blown away,' he said.