The Ekta Kapoor show exits that rocked Indian TV in 2000s: What happened with Rajeev Khandelwal?

Few moments define a Hindi serial–filled childhood quite like two unforgettable events: Mihir Virani’s supposed death in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and Rajeev Khandelwal’s dramatic exit from Kahiin Toh Hoga, another Ekta Kapoor production. The actor's character had a 'face surgery' after falling into a river, and was later replaced.

For those unfamiliar, Khandelwal became a household name playing the arrogant businessman in Kahiin Toh Hoga, a show loosely (though inaccurately) said to be based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. His sudden departure sparked widespread speculation—rumors ranged from demands for “more money” to Ekta Kapoor’s displeasure, which she openly expressed during a brief but pointed comment on Karan Johar’s Koffee with Karan.

Over the years, however, Khandelwal, who went on to star in shows like the fun and engaging Left, Right, Left and Reporters, along with a string of successful Bollywood films—has sought to clarify the truth behind his exit. Speaking with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel in 2024, he revealed that he had been warned: “Pagal hai tu? Tu kisse pange le raha hai? (Are you mad? Who are you messing with)”—a clear reference to Kapoor, who was then the most powerful television producer. “It was Ekta, people said why are you messing with Balaji? They said buy a house, make more money,” he recalled.

At that point, Khandelwal realized that greed could be endless, but what mattered most was that he wasn’t enjoying his work. “I had bought one house, and I felt that this greed would never end, and it is very, very important to actually enjoy that success because you feel that you deserve it,” he explained.

When asked if Kapoor was “upset” with him, Khandelwal answered, “Obviously.” He added, “The show was a success for the channel, for everyone, so it was valid that she was upset. It was very justified.” While many viewed his decision as a “daring” move, he admitted he was actually quite “nervous” before taking the leap. Even Kapoor’s father, veteran actor Jeetendra, spoke to him and cautioned that he was making a mistake. “Even Jeetu ji told me, ‘You are making a mistake. Why are you doing it? You are not realising what you are doing’,” he recalled.

 In a separate interview with SCREEN’s Dear Me..., Khandelwal reflected further on his choice to leave the show. The very love from people that made him a star also became a reason for him to step away. “When I quit the show, it was only because I couldn't handle it. People loved me so much, and I thought I was not giving them back in terms of quality. That thinking of me being that for them was not working with me,” he had said.

The overwhelming love from fans that made him a star also became a burden. He left because he felt he wasn’t delivering quality and didn’t want to be typecast as a 'brooding romantic'. Despite trying a different show, Time Bomb, it didn’t succeed, and public praise quickly turned to criticism.