EXCLUSIVE: Rajeev Khandelwal recalls being ‘threatened’ by media publications to do paid reviews; says, “If I have the capability, you can’t stop me”

Actor Rajeev Khandelwal made his Bollywood debut with Aamir in 2008 and then went on to star in Shaitan, Table No. 21, Salaam Venky, Bloody Daddy and many more. However, after every movie release, a major chunk of the population refers to reviews before watching the movies. While reviews give validation to some actors, some don’t give importance to them. Speaking about the same, Rajeev said that he doesn’t give any importance to the reviews as half of them are paid.

Rajeev Khandelwal on his views on paid reviews

When asked if the reviews are paid or not, he said, “I used to read reviews before, but unfortunately, I ended up reading them because somehow, somewhere, someone sent them to me. When you get good reviews, some of them are bought, and when they are good, someone sends them to you saying, ‘Hey, you should post this’ . You see that four stars have been given, and you think, ‘Okay, let’s see if it’s genuine.” So, you end up reading them. I’m not saying I don’t read them, but I don’t give them any importance at all. I try not to read them at all, and I’m being very honest, that I don’t read them at all. I don’t visit any social media as I don’t want to read the good reactions or bad ones.“

“In today’s day and age, you don’t know if the good ones are genuine or the bad ones, so ignorance is bliss. If you’ve done good work and you can judge yourself that these aspects are good, then you’ll think, “Okay, it must be good.” No matter how much they talk about it or don’t, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes it’s so strange, for example, those to whom you haven’t paid money won’t even mention your name. You say, “You didn’t include my name in the casting, I’m in it.” And the world is saying that you performed well, but your name isn’t there because no one paid you. In such scenarios, you’ll stop believing in them, and you won’t read them anymore. You start avoiding and ignoring them because we know, what’s going on around us,” he added.

Rajeev recalls how publications asked him money for doing reviews

When asked if publications used to make an offer to him to give certain stars to his movies in exchange for money. The Showtime actor said, “There was a very big publication, not today but around 10 years ago. I think it was after Aamir. Everyone wanted me to join their media network. In this media net, you buy space in newspapers, and then you get coverage on the front page. You buy a package deal where you appear on every front page. I wasn’t coming into their media net. They also had a celeb net where if you joined them, they would tell you that they would publish three stories about you on the front page in exchange for you attending their fashion shows and other events. It was a barter system.“

“I refused, and then they said, “Rajeev, think about it. If our paper doesn’t review your film, it doesn’t look good for your film.” And I said, “Basically, it’s like you’re threatening me. If you don’t want to review it, then don’t. I’m talking about a time right after Aamir. But some people understand. But I said, ‘Isn’t this a threat? And if you’re threatening to do it, then that’s not right. Then I believe in destiny. If I have the capability, you can’t stop me,” he narrated.

Watch the full interview

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Rajeev Khandelwal expresses disappointment over ban on Pakistani celebs in India; says, “Jahaan aman ban raha hai, wahaan bhi Hindu-Muslim ka angle de detey hain”