Rajeev Khandelwal on battling claustrophobia during his struggling days
Mumbai, June 27
The upcoming episode of 'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar' hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal will see the actor open up about battling claustrophobia during his early struggling days.
In an honest confession on the show, Rajeev opened up about a fear that has stayed with him over the years.
Rajeev said, "Sach bataun toh mujhe dar nahi lagta. Main agar zara sochunga toh shayad yeh kahunga ki mujhe khud se dar lagta hai ki mujhe dar kyun nahi lagta. Agar typical dar ki baat karein, toh shayad mujhe kabhi-kabhi band jagahon se dar lagta hai, claustrophobia jisko kehte hain. Uspe bhi maine kaabu paa liya."
He added, "Main Delhi se Mumbai aaya karta tha jab struggle kar raha tha, toh woh train hoti thi Rajdhani humaari. Uska jo Third AC ka compartment hota tha, uski top berth par jab main leta tha, toh mujhe lagta tha ki yaar yeh toh band ho raha hai. Upar se itna sa distance hai mere paas, itni si jagah hoti hai. Toh itni si jagah par mujhe lagta tha saans ghut rahi hai meri. Main bahar chala jaata tha aur jaakar gate khol deta tha."
(To be honest, I don't think I'm afraid. If I really reflect on it, I'd probably say that what scares me is the fact that I don't feel fear. If we're talking about the usual kind of fear, then maybe I sometimes feel uncomfortable in confined spaces-what you call claustrophobia. But I've managed to overcome that too. Back when I used to travel from Delhi to Mumbai during my struggling days, I would take the Rajdhani Express. Whenever I lay down on the top berth in the Third AC coach, I would feel like the space was closing in on me. There was barely any room above me, just a tiny gap, and I felt as if I couldn't breathe. So I would get up, walk out, and stand by the train door after opening it.)
Further adding to it he continued "Kabhi TC aata tha toh bolta tha, 'Kya bataun sir aapko, main AC compartment mein hoon aur hawa le raha hoon.' Mujhe dar lagta tha. Phir maine na, khud ko ussi direction mein dhakelna chalu kiya. Toh ek baar main kisi doosre desh mein gaya. Wahan par ek underground tunnel thi. Ab mujhe pata tha wahan par light hai, sab kuch hai. Maine kaha, ek baar koi ghusega toh wapas toh aa sakta nahi hai, toh udhar se nikalna padega. Toh I think, jaise aapne kaha tha, khud ko dhakel do. Jab dar itna haavi ho jaaye aap par ki aap khud ko usmein jhonk do, kahin na kahin agar aap mein himmat hai, toh aap tair kar uss taraf nikal hi jaayenge. Majority of the time, main aise hi apne dar par kaabu paa leta hoon."
(Sometimes the ticket checker would come and ask, 'Sir, what's going on?' and I'd say, 'What can I tell you? I'm travelling in an AC compartment, yet I'm standing here just to get some fresh air.' I used to be genuinely scared. Then I decided to push myself in the very direction of my fear. Once, I visited another country where there was an underground tunnel. I knew it was well-lit and completely safe, but I told myself that once you enter, the only way out is to keep moving forward. So, as you said, you have to push yourself. When fear starts to overpower you, throw yourself into it. If you have the courage, you'll eventually make it through to the other side. That's how I have managed to overcome most of my fears)
— IANS
Reader Comments
Very honest interview. What I loved most was his approach to facing fears - push yourself into it until you overcome. That's such a desi way of dealing with things! Growing up in India, we are always told to face our fears head on. Rajeev has always come across as a grounded actor. 👏
Finally a celebrity talking about real struggles without glamorizing it! Rajdhani Third AC top berth is definitely not for the faint-hearted - I've had cousins who would fight for the side lower berth to avoid that claustrophobic feeling. Good that he managed to overcome it.
Honestly, I think many of us have felt this way but never said it out loud. The way he described lying in that top berth and feeling like the space is closing in - that's exactly what I feel in elevators. Salute to him for sharing this. More actors should be this real.
Inspiring! This shows that even successful people have their own battles. The way he talks about pushing himself into the tunnel - that's the kind of mindset we need. Rajeev Khandelwal has always been underrated as an actor but he is top-notch when it comes to emotional honesty. 💯
Ek baat toh sahi hai - Indian trains ka top berth ka experience kisi ko bhi claustrophobic bana sakta hai! 🤣 But on a serious note, his approach to self-improvement is commendable. Fear is just a feeling, not a barrier if you
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