Disc jockeying - Rajeev Khandelwal's new passion

Oct 10, 2011 Subhash K Jha

Mumbai, Oct 10 (IANS) Actor Rajeev Khandelwal, whose performance in "Soundtrack" as a DJ-gone-deaf has been much appreciated, says he loved the process of getting to understand how a deejay moved, danced and played music.

"I took a seven weeks crash-course as a DJ. I went with my director Neerav Ghosh to nightclubs, watched them at work and then began to research on them. VJ Nikhil Chinappa, who was my co-star in 'Shaitan', also helped me understand the art," says Khandelwal.

The actor, who started his career from the small screen, says he wants to spend more time practicing the art.

"I can't claim to be a professional DJ. But I know how to fit beats into a loop, mix two songs. We have a rather fixed image of a DJ as a guy who plays songs and dances frantically, gesticulating with his hands all the while. But I discovered many DJs are far more controlled in their movements," he said.

To prepare for his role in "Soundtrack", the actor also attended a workshop for the deaf.

"I was coached by a teacher from the Helen Keller institute who was actually my co-star Soha Ali Khan's teacher. The thing is, I wasn't playing a guy who was deaf since birth. The body language and the quality of deafness that happens much later in life is different," the actor said.

He says he made it a point not to watch actor Paul Kaye in the Canadian film "It's All Gone Pete Tong" which is the reference point for Rajeev's character in "Soundtrack".

"No, I purposely stayed away from that film. But I did watch some footage of Frankie Wilde. The story of that DJ who went deaf was far more bizarre and debauched than what we've portrayed in 'Soundtrack'. The drugs, alcohol and sex in 'Soundtrack' was toned down."

The biggest compliment for Rajeev came from his wife.

"She said it was a good performance. She wouldn't bullshit me. If I am awful, she would say so. So if she says I am good I must be," he says.