It’s not a preachy show: Rajeev Khandelwal on ‘Tum Ho Naa’

Actor Rajeev Khandelwal says his new reality show, Tum Ho Naa - Ghar Ki Superstar is an attempt to celebrate homemakers and recognise their contribution.The reality game show, hosted by Khandelwal, celebrates the resilience and everyday sacrifices of homemakers and women from diverse backgrounds.Its not a preachy show, we dont preach anything.

Actor Rajeev Khandelwal says his new reality show, ''Tum Ho Naa - Ghar Ki Superstar'' is an attempt to celebrate homemakers and recognise their contribution.

The reality game show, hosted by Khandelwal, celebrates the resilience and everyday sacrifices of homemakers and women from diverse backgrounds.

''It's not a preachy show, we don't preach anything. It's just that we give them a platform, we recognize their contribution and we invite them and we call them, tell them that this is your moment. More than anything else, it's also them feeling very special on the show because they know that they'll be watched by millions of people,'' Khandelwal told PTI.

At its core, he said the show isn't about ''standing up'' for women, it rather focuses on appreciating their contribution, which often goes unnoticed.

''When I heard the concept of it and I realized women who are working in the cities have gone way ahead. But there's still a section of our society where women, whatever they do, whatever they contribute, (their contribution) is still not spoken about.

''If it's spoken about, we still take it for granted. We do not value and respect it. And that's how women also deal with that. They also take it for granted that, 'This is a thankless job, we are at home, we are just doing nothing'.''.

Khandelwal, a popular face on television with serials such as ''Kahiin To Hoga'', ''Left Right Left'', called the new show his ''thanksgiving'' to audiences, especially families and women, who have supported him over the years.

The concept of the show, the actor said, struck a personal chord with him as it reminded him how he used to see his mother as ''just a housewife''. It was only later that he realised the sacrifices she made, many of which went unacknowledged.

''By the time I started reciprocating that love (to my mom), by the time you start giving it back, it's a little too late. In my case, I would do so much for her, but she's not around,'' the actor, whose mother passed away in 2018 following a battle with cancer, said.

For Khandelwal hosting ''Tum Ho Naa'' was instinctive, much like the rest of the work that he did in his over two-decade long career. He has in the past hosted the 2009 reality show, ''Sach Ka Saamna''.

Recalling how he quit popular TV show ''Kahiin to Hoga'' at his peak and went on to star in a critically-acclaimed film like ''Aamir'' before returning to TV with ''Sach Ka Saamna'', ''Reporters'', and later taking up OTT series like ''Showtime'', Khandelwal said there has never been a fixed pattern to his choices.

''I'm very instinctive, I say no so much, which is kind of not advised by my industry folks, by my well-wishers, but I can absolutely disregard that and just completely go with my instinct. And that's how I operate.

''There's not too much thought that goes into my picking up a project. I end up doing projects where I am excited to be on the set. I do not look at the medium, I look at the project, some of them work, some don't. Some of them come out, some of them fail to even see the light of the day.''.

Reflecting on some of his unreleased films, Khandelwal said it's a common reality for those working in showbiz. Khandelwal's ''Peter Gaya Kaam Se'' with UTV and a feature with acclaimed director Tanuja Chandra, and some other projects are yet to release.

''It's not just me, you go to any actor, they will always have plenty of films in their kitty, which were not released or were shelved for many reasons. It wasn't initially easy for me to understand that the film is made, crores have already been invested and yet the film won't see the light of the day,'' he said.

''But there are many complications. For instance, there would be a financer, a couple of producers, they would be fighting over their rights after the film comes out, like who is going to retain the royalty of the film. That's a very human thing to happen, greed is what kills most of the projects.''.

''Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar'' airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.