Musafir Cafe actor Rajeev on love, letting go and working with partner Kirti Kulhari
Actor Rajeev Siddhartha discussed the response to Musafir Cafe and working with partner Kirti Kulhari on her first production. He said the series deepened his view that love means giving space and trusting the other person.
Actor Rajeev Siddhartha, who was recently seen in Musafir Cafe, believes stories have the power to do much more than entertain. Speaking about the response to Musafir Cafe, the actor said the biggest achievement for any piece of art is its ability to create a lasting emotional impact. He also spoke about his relationship with Kirti Kulhari and their experience of working together professionally.
Speaking about Musafir Cafe, Rajeev said, “I remember the casting director and the director messaging me and encouraging me, almost convincing me that they wanted me for that part in the series. When people like them in the industry tell you something like this, you feel slightly important, which I feel everyone wants to feel like in their life.”
The Four More Shots Please! actor continued, “Also, I was just out of a play called Zen Katha, so I was in a zen space. When they presented me with this character of Rahil, who is an author with a calming presence in the whole show and a keen observer, and they also told me that they were shooting the series in Mussoorie, I couldn't help but take the part,” he said.
Rajeev revealed his real reason for doing the show. “I guess one can come up with lots of reasons intellectually, but it's the gut feeling, that intuitiveness, the vibe of the whole project that attracts you to do it. I immediately said yes. One small reason for saying yes was also because I grew up in Mussoorie, in a boarding school, since I was five years old. So, it was a great amalgamation of the fact that I would be doing what I love in the place I love,” he said.
Praising the team, the actor said, “Obviously, the people attached to the project—Sharanya Rajgopal, the creator—she is just a superb human being and very compassionate. Hence, you can see the passion flow in the series and the writing. Then we have Vikrant Massey, Mahima Makwana, Vedika Pinto and Adil Hussain. All in all, it was a very wholesome project to be a part of.”
Talking about love stories, he shared, “I also feel that there are very few slow-burn love stories in the market, and I love love. Love is supposed to be shared, and hence, to be part of a show like this was almost a no-brainer,” he said.
He also spoke about the response to the series. “The overwhelmingly positive response to Musafir Cafe is proof that people are accepting of it. As an artist, you hope that all your projects do very well and all your characters are loved. Sometimes they are, sometimes they are not. Sometimes they meet your expectations, sometimes they don't. But Musafir Cafe has exceeded my expectations, and how," he said.
"Just the outpouring of love for the series and for my character is so beautiful to see. I have got messages from people all across the world. Some have told me that my character healed them. What better compliment than that? We make cinema and series for entertainment. The highest thing is if your work can bring about some change. If somebody can see themselves in the characters and feel seen, and know that they are not alone in the world through the work, through the series,” added the actor.
Rajeev added that he believes Musafir Cafe has managed to achieve exactly that. “I feel Musafir Cafe has done that, and that is proof that everybody wants something like this. Rather than the fast-paced, quick editing and all of that stuff—which also has a space—this too has a space,” he said.
Asked about his biggest takeaway from the series, the actor reflected on love, attachment and the importance of giving people freedom. “I feel that one must always provide the space for the other person to be. Sometimes it can be hurtful to you because, in love, attachment often goes hand in hand in most relationships. But genuinely, true love is really letting the other person be and trusting that even if they go away, it is okay. It will hurt like crazy,” he said.
Rajeev admitted that while he had always believed in the idea, the show helped him understand it more deeply. “I think I have always known that. But to really integrate it into one's own being, it probably takes a lifetime. Through the series, I have come to an even deeper understanding of that fact,” he said.
The actor, who is currently in a relationship with Kirti Kulhari, also spoke about how his understanding of love has evolved over the years. “Ultimately, true love is unconditional love. It is what the sun has for the Earth. It never complains that I have been giving you sunshine, rays and warmth for so many billions of years and you haven't done anything for me in return. That is true love,” he said.
Rajeev added, “Romantic love, which 99.9 per cent of us are in or believe in, ideally should also be unconditional. But there are some conditions here or there. Knowingly or unknowingly, we impose them on the other person, and they are imposed on us too. From my teenage years to my twenties and now my thirties, I am trying to live up to the fact that love should be unconditional. And like I just said, providing that space and just holding the other person in that space is very important,” he said.
Rajeev also opened up about collaborating professionally with his partner, Kirti, on her first production, an independent film that is currently in post-production.
“Right now, Kirti has just done her first production. It's an independent film, and she and I are both part of it. We are acting in it. Right now, the post-production is on, and hopefully it will see the light of day very soon,” he said.
Having watched the film multiple times during dubbing and post-production, Rajeev revealed that it is one of the rare projects he wouldn't change. “I've seen the film 10-11 times now. Usually, once a film is released, I find some place where I could have done something differently. But only in this film, I'm like, ‘Oh wow, I probably wouldn't change a thing.’ Let's see,” he said.
Sharing what it was like to work with his partner, Rajeev called it a beautiful experience. “It is a very beautiful experience. I'm just happy and joyous that soon after we started the relationship, her first production happened. In that sense, it's a good feeling to be part of somebody's journey like that,” he said.
The actor acknowledged that creative collaborations naturally come with differences of opinion but said they navigated them with mutual understanding.
“When you work with anybody on a creative project, there has to be friction at times because people are so passionate about their point of view. Obviously, there were disagreements on how to do a scene sometimes, but they were hardly there. It was more or less smooth sailing,” he said.
He concluded by saying that their shared commitment to the film made the process easier. “At the end of the day, both she and I know that we are working and giving it our all for the project. We have the same common goal,” he said.
Musafir Cafe is currently streaming on Netflix. Apart from Siddharth, the series stars Vikrant Massey, Mahima Makwana and Vedika Pinto.
Actor Rajeev Siddhartha, who was recently seen in Musafir Cafe, believes stories have the power to do much more than entertain. Speaking about the response to Musafir Cafe, the actor said the biggest achievement for any piece of art is its ability to create a lasting emotional impact. He also spoke about his relationship with Kirti Kulhari and their experience of working together professionally.
Speaking about Musafir Cafe, Rajeev said, “I remember the casting director and the director messaging me and encouraging me, almost convincing me that they wanted me for that part in the series. When people like them in the industry tell you something like this, you feel slightly important, which I feel everyone wants to feel like in their life.”
The Four More Shots Please! actor continued, “Also, I was just out of a play called Zen Katha, so I was in a zen space. When they presented me with this character of Rahil, who is an author with a calming presence in the whole show and a keen observer, and they also told me that they were shooting the series in Mussoorie, I couldn't help but take the part,” he said.
Rajeev revealed his real reason for doing the show. “I guess one can come up with lots of reasons intellectually, but it's the gut feeling, that intuitiveness, the vibe of the whole project that attracts you to do it. I immediately said yes. One small reason for saying yes was also because I grew up in Mussoorie, in a boarding school, since I was five years old. So, it was a great amalgamation of the fact that I would be doing what I love in the place I love,” he said.
Praising the team, the actor said, “Obviously, the people attached to the project—Sharanya Rajgopal, the creator—she is just a superb human being and very compassionate. Hence, you can see the passion flow in the series and the writing. Then we have Vikrant Massey, Mahima Makwana, Vedika Pinto and Adil Hussain. All in all, it was a very wholesome project to be a part of.”
Talking about love stories, he shared, “I also feel that there are very few slow-burn love stories in the market, and I love love. Love is supposed to be shared, and hence, to be part of a show like this was almost a no-brainer,” he said.
He also spoke about the response to the series. “The overwhelmingly positive response to Musafir Cafe is proof that people are accepting of it. As an artist, you hope that all your projects do very well and all your characters are loved. Sometimes they are, sometimes they are not. Sometimes they meet your expectations, sometimes they don't. But Musafir Cafe has exceeded my expectations, and how," he said.
"Just the outpouring of love for the series and for my character is so beautiful to see. I have got messages from people all across the world. Some have told me that my character healed them. What better compliment than that? We make cinema and series for entertainment. The highest thing is if your work can bring about some change. If somebody can see themselves in the characters and feel seen, and know that they are not alone in the world through the work, through the series,” added the actor.
Rajeev added that he believes Musafir Cafe has managed to achieve exactly that. “I feel Musafir Cafe has done that, and that is proof that everybody wants something like this. Rather than the fast-paced, quick editing and all of that stuff—which also has a space—this too has a space,” he said.
Asked about his biggest takeaway from the series, the actor reflected on love, attachment and the importance of giving people freedom. “I feel that one must always provide the space for the other person to be. Sometimes it can be hurtful to you because, in love, attachment often goes hand in hand in most relationships. But genuinely, true love is really letting the other person be and trusting that even if they go away, it is okay. It will hurt like crazy,” he said.
Rajeev admitted that while he had always believed in the idea, the show helped him understand it more deeply. “I think I have always known that. But to really integrate it into one's own being, it probably takes a lifetime. Through the series, I have come to an even deeper understanding of that fact,” he said.
The actor, who is currently in a relationship with Kirti Kulhari, also spoke about how his understanding of love has evolved over the years. “Ultimately, true love is unconditional love. It is what the sun has for the Earth. It never complains that I have been giving you sunshine, rays and warmth for so many billions of years and you haven't done anything for me in return. That is true love,” he said.
Rajeev added, “Romantic love, which 99.9 per cent of us are in or believe in, ideally should also be unconditional. But there are some conditions here or there. Knowingly or unknowingly, we impose them on the other person, and they are imposed on us too. From my teenage years to my twenties and now my thirties, I am trying to live up to the fact that love should be unconditional. And like I just said, providing that space and just holding the other person in that space is very important,” he said.
Rajeev also opened up about collaborating professionally with his partner, Kirti, on her first production, an independent film that is currently in post-production.
“Right now, Kirti has just done her first production. It's an independent film, and she and I are both part of it. We are acting in it. Right now, the post-production is on, and hopefully it will see the light of day very soon,” he said.
Having watched the film multiple times during dubbing and post-production, Rajeev revealed that it is one of the rare projects he wouldn't change. “I've seen the film 10-11 times now. Usually, once a film is released, I find some place where I could have done something differently. But only in this film, I'm like, ‘Oh wow, I probably wouldn't change a thing.’ Let's see,” he said.
Sharing what it was like to work with his partner, Rajeev called it a beautiful experience. “It is a very beautiful experience. I'm just happy and joyous that soon after we started the relationship, her first production happened. In that sense, it's a good feeling to be part of somebody's journey like that,” he said.
The actor acknowledged that creative collaborations naturally come with differences of opinion but said they navigated them with mutual understanding.
“When you work with anybody on a creative project, there has to be friction at times because people are so passionate about their point of view. Obviously, there were disagreements on how to do a scene sometimes, but they were hardly there. It was more or less smooth sailing,” he said.
He concluded by saying that their shared commitment to the film made the process easier. “At the end of the day, both she and I know that we are working and giving it our all for the project. We have the same common goal,” he said.
Musafir Cafe is currently streaming on Netflix. Apart from Siddharth, the series stars Vikrant Massey, Mahima Makwana and Vedika Pinto.
Actor Rajeev Siddhartha, who was recently seen in Musafir Cafe, believes stories have the power to do much more than entertain. Speaking about the response to Musafir Cafe, the actor said the biggest achievement for any piece of art is its ability to create a lasting emotional impact. He also spoke about his relationship with Kirti Kulhari and their experience of working together professionally.
Speaking about Musafir Cafe, Rajeev said, “I remember the casting director and the director messaging me and encouraging me, almost convincing me that they wanted me for that part in the series. When people like them in the industry tell you something like this, you feel slightly important, which I feel everyone wants to feel like in their life.”
The Four More Shots Please! actor continued, “Also, I was just out of a play called Zen Katha, so I was in a zen space. When they presented me with this character of Rahil, who is an author with a calming presence in the whole show and a keen observer, and they also told me that they were shooting the series in Mussoorie, I couldn't help but take the part,” he said.
Rajeev revealed his real reason for doing the show. “I guess one can come up with lots of reasons intellectually, but it's the gut feeling, that intuitiveness, the vibe of the whole project that attracts you to do it. I immediately said yes. One small reason for saying yes was also because I grew up in Mussoorie, in a boarding school, since I was five years old. So, it was a great amalgamation of the fact that I would be doing what I love in the place I love,” he said.
Praising the team, the actor said, “Obviously, the people attached to the project—Sharanya Rajgopal, the creator—she is just a superb human being and very compassionate. Hence, you can see the passion flow in the series and the writing. Then we have Vikrant Massey, Mahima Makwana, Vedika Pinto and Adil Hussain. All in all, it was a very wholesome project to be a part of.”
Talking about love stories, he shared, “I also feel that there are very few slow-burn love stories in the market, and I love love. Love is supposed to be shared, and hence, to be part of a show like this was almost a no-brainer,” he said.
He also spoke about the response to the series. “The overwhelmingly positive response to Musafir Cafe is proof that people are accepting of it. As an artist, you hope that all your projects do very well and all your characters are loved. Sometimes they are, sometimes they are not. Sometimes they meet your expectations, sometimes they don't. But Musafir Cafe has exceeded my expectations, and how," he said.
"Just the outpouring of love for the series and for my character is so beautiful to see. I have got messages from people all across the world. Some have told me that my character healed them. What better compliment than that? We make cinema and series for entertainment. The highest thing is if your work can bring about some change. If somebody can see themselves in the characters and feel seen, and know that they are not alone in the world through the work, through the series,” added the actor.
Rajeev added that he believes Musafir Cafe has managed to achieve exactly that. “I feel Musafir Cafe has done that, and that is proof that everybody wants something like this. Rather than the fast-paced, quick editing and all of that stuff—which also has a space—this too has a space,” he said.
Asked about his biggest takeaway from the series, the actor reflected on love, attachment and the importance of giving people freedom. “I feel that one must always provide the space for the other person to be. Sometimes it can be hurtful to you because, in love, attachment often goes hand in hand in most relationships. But genuinely, true love is really letting the other person be and trusting that even if they go away, it is okay. It will hurt like crazy,” he said.
Rajeev admitted that while he had always believed in the idea, the show helped him understand it more deeply. “I think I have always known that. But to really integrate it into one's own being, it probably takes a lifetime. Through the series, I have come to an even deeper understanding of that fact,” he said.
The actor, who is currently in a relationship with Kirti Kulhari, also spoke about how his understanding of love has evolved over the years. “Ultimately, true love is unconditional love. It is what the sun has for the Earth. It never complains that I have been giving you sunshine, rays and warmth for so many billions of years and you haven't done anything for me in return. That is true love,” he said.
Rajeev added, “Romantic love, which 99.9 per cent of us are in or believe in, ideally should also be unconditional. But there are some conditions here or there. Knowingly or unknowingly, we impose them on the other person, and they are imposed on us too. From my teenage years to my twenties and now my thirties, I am trying to live up to the fact that love should be unconditional. And like I just said, providing that space and just holding the other person in that space is very important,” he said.
Rajeev also opened up about collaborating professionally with his partner, Kirti, on her first production, an independent film that is currently in post-production.
“Right now, Kirti has just done her first production. It's an independent film, and she and I are both part of it. We are acting in it. Right now, the post-production is on, and hopefully it will see the light of day very soon,” he said.
Having watched the film multiple times during dubbing and post-production, Rajeev revealed that it is one of the rare projects he wouldn't change. “I've seen the film 10-11 times now. Usually, once a film is released, I find some place where I could have done something differently. But only in this film, I'm like, ‘Oh wow, I probably wouldn't change a thing.’ Let's see,” he said.
Sharing what it was like to work with his partner, Rajeev called it a beautiful experience. “It is a very beautiful experience. I'm just happy and joyous that soon after we started the relationship, her first production happened. In that sense, it's a good feeling to be part of somebody's journey like that,” he said.
The actor acknowledged that creative collaborations naturally come with differences of opinion but said they navigated them with mutual understanding.
“When you work with anybody on a creative project, there has to be friction at times because people are so passionate about their point of view. Obviously, there were disagreements on how to do a scene sometimes, but they were hardly there. It was more or less smooth sailing,” he said.
He concluded by saying that their shared commitment to the film made the process easier. “At the end of the day, both she and I know that we are working and giving it our all for the project. We have the same common goal,” he said.
Musafir Cafe is currently streaming on Netflix. Apart from Siddharth, the series stars Vikrant Massey, Mahima Makwana and Vedika Pinto.
