Everything is now known to people through the internet, says Raajesh Tondon

After having done films like ‘Agneepath’, ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai’ and ‘Company’, Raajesh Tondon went onto become a household name. His extremely down-to-earth nature and soft-spoken personality is what catches one’s eye the moment you meet him. OTTplay met Raajesh Tondon for an exclusive interview.

Yesterday was the auspicious festival of 'Akshaya Tritiya'. What does the festival mean to you?
‘Akshaya Tritiya’ means three. ‘Akshaya’ means that which is never finished. This day is considered very auspicious and hence people buy gold and property on this day.

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Since when have you started celebrating the festival?
‘Akshaya Tritiya’ has been celebrated in my family since my childhood and I continue the tradition.

How did you celebrate ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ this year?
I had planned to celebrate ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ by giving time to some of my auspicious work.

Of all these years of celebrating ‘Akshay Tritiya’, which year has been the most memorable for you and why?
All the years have been wonderful, I can’t choose one or the other.

Also Read: Akshaya Tritiya 2023: In my life, the REAL GOLD people are … reveals Shubhaavi Choksey

Do you think that, over the years the spirit and concept of ‘Akshay Tritiya’ has changed?
Everything is now known to people through the Internet. So, the spirit has risen, and now more and more people are celebrating such festivals as they are now aware.

Are you well versed with the traditional mantra during ‘Akshay Tritiya’? Did you do the pooja yourself for ‘Akshay Tritiya’ or did you call a pandit ji to do the same?
We know the traditional mantra of ‘Akshaya Tritiya’. That’s why we do not call a panditji for the same.

What was your dress code for ‘Akshaya Tritiya’?
All of us generally end up wearing kurta pajama. And if I am shooting on ‘Akshaya Tritiya’, that would be the best thing that can happen.

The occasion of ‘Akshay Trithiya’ is always synonymous with gold. Can you name the three people in your life that you consider ‘GOLD’?
I would have first said my dad, I consider him as my hero but I lost him at a very young age. Hence, people who I consider gold in my life are my mother, my guru Manoj Rathee, and Dr Ashutosh Agarwal.

‘Akshaya Tritiya’ coincided with the auspicious festival of Eid yesterday. Did you have your tummy have its way through ‘Akshay Trithiya’s sweets as well as Eid’s sheer kurma and other delicacies?
Well, everything in moderation is good. I did enjoy eating the sweets. At the same time, I also firmly believe that being fit is the most important thing in our profession.

On a professional front, tell us what is keeping you busy these days?
I will surely and definitely share it soon with you the moment it happens. (smiles)