IN MUM’S GOOD BOOKS: Rajeev Khandelwal with mother Vijaylaxmi

Rajeev Khandelwal’s father, Retd Col C L Khandelwal, took ill and was rushed to Escorts Hospital, Delhi earlier this week — the Khandelwals are based in Jaipur. On September 26, at 10.30 am, Rajeev’s dad underwent bypass surgery under the care of cardiac surgeon, Dr Trehan.

The surgery lasted six hours and the actor’s father regained consciousness after 18 hours. That his father needed heart surgery was a shock for Rajeev — his father is a teetotaller and a staunch vegetarian.

Being brave for dad

Rajeev rushed to Delhi as soon as he heard the news, and was by his father’s side before and during the surgery. The actor nearly broke down when the colonel flashed a smile at his wife (Vijaylaxmi) and Rajeev before being wheeled into the operation theatre.

“We were being brave in front of dad but we were all crying inside. We were unsure whether he would survive the surgery; the doctor had said it was extremely complicated. My mother nearly threw up, but somehow controlled it.”

MILITARY PRECISION: Rajeev’s father, Retd Col C L Khandelwal (circled), with his mother and brother (centre)

Father-son bonding

Rajeev is close to his family and shares a very healthy relationship with his dad. He says, “Till about three months ago, dad was in Mumbai. He had come down from Pune, where my older brother lives. He’d had a few tests done at the Army Hospital in Pune. During his brief stay with me, I developed a new, close bond with him.”

Bar too good

The actor particularly remembers the time his dad discovered Rajeev’s special home bar. “I was shit scared when he saw the bar. I simply couldn’t hide it. But he just turned around, smiled and said, ‘Boy, this bar is damn good.’”

“Dad had been complaining of difficulty in breathing for nearly three years,” says the actor. “Tests revealed he had 90 per cent blockage in his arteries; he needed an operation immediately — one valve also had to be replaced.”

Birthday gift

Rajeev wanted to spend more time at his dad’s bedside, but had to return to Mumbai because of work commitments. The actor flew back on Tuesday to shoot for Ketan Mehta’s Time Bomb, aired on Zee. But he will be in Delhi again on October 2, to bring in his dad’s birthday on October 3.

Brothers in attendance

Rajeev’s older brother, Major Sanjeev, who lives in Pune, is with their father. Younger brother Rahul, who stays in Bhopal, is also in Delhi.

“I want dad to spend some time in Delhi before he goes back to Jaipur. I will make the best possible arrangements for him in Delhi until he gets sufficient rest and is fit to travel back,” says the actor, who plays Varun Awasthi in Time Bomb. Prior to this, he played Sujal Grewal in Kahiin To Hoga.