Actor Rajeev Khandelwal recently shared his experience of being cast in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film that never happened. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, he talked about the project and his feelings about it.
The Missed Chance
Around 2009-2010, Rajeev was chosen for the lead role in a film called ‘Chenab Gandhi,’ which was to feature Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan. Bhansali liked Rajeev’s look and decided to cast him. Rajeev said, “Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a very respected director. He liked my look and told me he wanted me for the film.”
Exciting Script
The film, to be directed by Vibhu Puri, had an amazing script that excited Rajeev. “The script was fantastic. Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan were also in it. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity, not just because it was Bhansali’s film, but because the script was so great.”
The Wait
Despite the initial excitement, the film never happened. Rajeev expressed his frustration about not being kept informed. “The only hard part was not knowing if the film would happen. When I finally heard it was canceled, I accepted it and moved on. It did feel like a waste of time, but I was willing to invest that time for such a great project. But these things happen in the industry.”
Moving On
Rajeev handled the situation well, viewing it as part of the unpredictable nature of the film industry. “When I heard the film wasn’t happening, I told myself this happens to everyone. It’s part of the business, so I moved on.”
Bhansali’s Current Work
While ‘Chenab Gandhi’ didn’t happen, Bhansali continues to succeed. His recent Netflix show ‘Heeramandi‘ is popular. Set during the Indian independence movement, the show explores the lives of courtesans in Lahore and their interactions with British officials. It stars Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Richa Chadha, among others, and a second season is already planned.
Rajeev Khandelwal’s experience shows the ups and downs of the film industry. Despite the setback, his positive attitude and resilience stand out. Fans can look forward to seeing Rajeev in more roles and to Bhansali’s future projects.