'Complacency is slow suicide'

Rajeev Khandelwal on what has made him tick

Holidaying in Ladakh, shooting for Sach ka Saamna and wondering whether he's really learnt ten thingsu2026 it takes nearly two weeks to pin down Rajeev Khandelwal.

But once he's in the flow of things, the lessons come tumbling out.u00a0u00a0

Humility
It's very important to be humble, that's what my five-six years in entertainment have taught
me.u00a0

Best shot always
You must always, always give your best shot because life doesn't give you a second chance. My projects may have been successful or not, but I've always given them my 100 per centu2026 and then of course tried to better myself with each project.

When the going gets tough...u00a0
... the tough get going. I've taken breaks, I may have had some not-so-easy times but they've tided over.u00a0

I believe in me
Believing in oneself is the most important thing. Others' perceptions of you won't get you anywhere.

No short-cuts
Every project that I've taken on has required me to work hard. While I may not have reaped 'rich' dividends for each, the hard work has paid off, be it Kahiin Toh Hoga, Left Right Left, Aamir or Sach ka Saamna.

Time is moneyu00a0
An hour gone in waiting or whatever else has cost you 60 minutes worth of shooting... which is a lot! Time
is money in this industry and the sooner you realise that, the better.u00a0

Visionu00a0
You need to realise that one decision you take today could make or break you several years down the line. If you want to last here, and have a long innings, it's best if you figure that one out quickly.u00a0

Show the door to complacency
There's no room for a complacent individual in entertainment. It's a word that ought to be deleted
from the dictionary of all actors. Complacency is just slow suicide.

Healthy competition
All of us work together. We're different actors, different people, we are rivals, but it's not cut-throat competition. It's very healthy.

As you sow...
Love and respect are two things that you receive depending on how much you're willing to give. If you respect others' professions, whether they're actors or technicians or the media, if you don't consider anyone else inferior and as long as you're not biased, you'll get just as much love and respect in return.