The Internet's latest boyfriend Rahul Khanna talks style and television ahead of his new show, a three part travelogue on Scotland's whiskey trail
Kasmin Fernandes (MID-DAY; August 11, 2016)

Rahul Khanna calls himself a boutique Bollywood actor on his humorous blog, but the 44-year-old is far from that. Such is the shy crossover actor’s charm that he has become the thinking Indian woman’s sophisticated pin- up — he is the son of India’s first sex symbol, Vinod Khanna, after all. The face of MTV India in the 1990s, he plays Yousaf Rana, an Oxford-educated Pakistani intelligence officer in the multiple Emmy Award-nominee, The Americans. He is currently shooting for the show’s fifth season and is set to be seen in The Mavericks, a three-part travelogue on Scotland’s whiskey trail. hitlist gets up, close and personal with Rahul…

How has life changed after The Americans?
These days, the scale, quality and reach of international TV is on par with, or has, perhaps, surpassed feature films. Everyone is discussing what shows they are binge-watching. So, it was a dream come true to get an opportunity to work on what is widely regarded as one of the best shows on American television. The writing, production and performances are on such a high level, working on it was a joy and an education, no less.

What can we expect from your character going forward?
Since The Americans is an espionage show, the producers and writers are incredibly secretive. The good news is that my character, Yousaf, is still alive, but in terms of when — or, in fact, if — he will be back, your guess is as good as mine.

You were a poster boy for the MTV generation in the ’90s. Now, you are being labelled as the Internet’s latest boyfriend.
That’s quite a lofty title to bear. From my first job, being the face of MTV Asia, to The Americans, I have been really lucky with the projects that have come my way. But more than that, I have been blessed with the kind of fans I have. Right from the beginning, they have been supportive and encouraging of everything I do, be it on screen or online.

When and how did your love affair with suits begin?
I have worked with some of the best stylists, both internationally and in India, and I credit them with inculcating and developing a sense of style in me and exposing me to so much in the sartorial world. I see style as an art form, and designers and stylists as artists. It's putting forward a creative point of view. I'd really love to start a men's clothing line some day.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I love reading, listening to music, travelling and meeting friends for great meals and board games. Apart from working out in the gym, I also love the outdoors, so I take every opportunity to go hiking or swimming.

You've been missing from the Bollywood scene.
After 'Love Aaj Kal', I did 'Wake Up Sid' [both in 2009], then 'Fireflies' (2014) and also had an arc in 24's Indian version, not to mention numerous events and appearances. So, I haven't really been missing. I am constantly reading scripts, meeting people and always on the lookout for interesting new projects in India as well as abroad.

Your brother, actor Akshaye Khanna, made his comeback as a baddie with 'Dishoom'. Have you watched it?
I have. I thought it was slick and great fun. Akshaye's performance was smooth and Machiavellian — I loved it.

What are you working on currently?
I just finished filming 'The Mavericks', which airs next month. It's a stylish travel show shot on the whiskey trail in Scotland. I got insider access to the entire distilling process, and also got to taste rare whiskeys, including one from 1958.

BOMBAY TIMES (February 8, 2016)

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 31, 2015)

The third season of Rahul Khanna's TV show, The Americans, went on air yesterday. The actor admits that though he's just a small part of the popular show, he's overwhelmed by messages from all over the world after the international premiere. And though he hasn't seen the Indian telecast, he has heard that some of his scenes, including a nude scene in the bedroom, have been censored back home because "they are too hot to handle" for Indian viewers. And he made his displeasure apparent on Twitter.

Talking to Mirror, Rahul grouses, "I don't understand what all the fuss is about. It's an edgy and realistic show -- so if there's a love-making scene, you're naturally going to see some skin. Unfortunately, the Indian broadcaster's hands are tied because they have to follow certain standards and practices in keeping with Indian sensibilities. These days we seem to be constantly taking offence as a nation. It's such a waste of time and energy. It baffles me that watching someone being beaten up or shot is fine but the bare human body and lovemaking is deemed offensive."

Prod him on whether the editing will take away from his role and his performance and he acknowledges that the scene in question is a major plot point and editing it will affect the narrative. "We put so much effort into our work. To have a third party indiscriminately alter it is, of course, upsetting. Censorship is the worst thing that can be inflicted upon art," he insists.

He adds that as adults in a democracy, we should be free to decide what we do and don't watch. "I'm all for ratings and full disclosures. Viewers should be made aware, beforehand, what the content is and, if you're so sensitive that you feel you will be offended, exercise self-censorship and don't watch it," he maintains.

The Americans was recommended to Rahul by his brother Akshaye, and it was already one of his favourite shows when he was approached for a role in Season 2. "Initially, I presumed I would just be in that one episode but I was overjoyed when they asked me back and gave my character an arc in Season 3," he says.

Will he be back next season? "This is one of the finest shows on TV today and one of the most wonderful teams I've had the privilege of working with. I would happily return for as many episodes and seasons as they will have me for," he says.

He makes a special mention of a particularly macabre scene involving Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys and him which appears in next week's episode. "In between takes, we were nervously laughing and discussing how bizarre the day was. Keri picked up a camera that was one of the props, took a picture of Matthew and me rehearsing the grisly act, and jokingly threatened to send the picture to our mothers in Wales and Mumbai. It was funny and lightened the mood," he reminisces with a laugh.

Rahul has two more episodes to shoot for the show in the US before he returns to Mumbai. "I'm currently reading a couple of film scripts," he says. "After having been away for so long, I'm looking forward to a project in India."

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 21, 2014)