Neha Kakkar reveals childhood crush on Rajeev Khandelwal's Sujal from 'Kahiin To Hoga'
Synopsis
Neha Kakkar's appearance on Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar turned into a nostalgia trip — she revealed that Rajeev Khandelwal's Sujal was her biggest crush during her Indian Idol days, and that he once visited her at home while she recovered from chickenpox. Two decades on, standing next to him on stage, she asked him to sing for her again — and he did.
Key Takeaways
Neha Kakkar revealed her childhood crush on Rajeev Khandelwal 's character Sujal from 'Kahiin To Hoga' on the reality show Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar .
Kakkar recalled naming Khandelwal as her favourite celebrity during her time as a contestant on Indian Idol .
Khandelwal reportedly visited Kakkar at home while she was recovering from chickenpox and had temporarily stepped away from Indian Idol .
An old video of the two was played on the show, leaving Kakkar visibly emotional.
Khandelwal performed 'Thoda Sa Pyaar Hua Hai' at Kakkar's request, reviving memories of the iconic show.
Khandelwal's on-screen pairing with Aamna Sharif as Kashish in 'Kahiin To Hoga' is considered one of Indian television's most iconic couples.
Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar has revealed that she harboured a deep admiration for actor Rajeev Khandelwal in his iconic role as Sujal from the early 2000s television drama 'Kahiin To Hoga' — a confession she made on the reality show Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar, where Khandelwal serves as host.
The Indian Idol Connection
Appearing on the show alongside her husband Rohanpreet Singh, Kakkar recalled that her admiration for Khandelwal dates back to her time as a contestant on Indian Idol. When the channel asked her to name her favourite celebrity, she unhesitatingly named him.
'Toh Indian Idol ki baat hai. Main contestant thi aur mujhse channel ne pucha, Aapka favourite celebrity kaun hai? Unka naam batayiye. Maine bola, Rajeev Khandelwal,' she said, with the translation reading: 'This goes back to my Indian Idol days. I was a contestant, and the channel asked me, Who is your favourite celebrity? I said, Rajeev Khandelwal.'
A Surprise Visit During Chickenpox Recovery
Kakkar went on to share a particularly memorable episode — Khandelwal had paid her a surprise visit at home when she was recovering from chickenpox and had been forced to briefly step away from Indian Idol. Glancing at Rohanpreet, she quipped that her husband was probably feeling a little jealous hearing the story.
'Mujhe get well soon karne ghar pe kaun aaya tha? Rajeev Khandelwal. Sujal har ek ladki ka... itni chhoti, itni badi, har kisi mahila ki deewangi tha Sujal, and I am standing right here next to Sujal,' she said — translating as: 'Do you know who came home to wish me a speedy recovery? Rajeev Khandelwal. Sujal was every girl's crush, young or old, and today I'm standing right next to Sujal.'
An Old Video and an Emotional Moment
Later in the episode, an archival video featuring both Rajeev and Neha was played as a surprise, visibly moving the singer. Reacting to the footage, Khandelwal said: 'Pehli cheez yeh ki main Neha ke saamne gaana gaa raha hu... meri himmat thi ki main is ke saamne gaana gaa raha tha' — meaning he was amazed he had the courage to sing in front of someone of her calibre.
He also reflected on Kakkar's journey: 'Yeh woh Neha thi jo Mumbai aayi thi apni jagah banane... Sapne poore honge. Woh ek Neha thi, aur aaj ek Neha hai jinke karodon fans hain' — translating as: 'This is the same Neha who came to Mumbai hoping to make a name for herself. Dreams do come true. That was one Neha then, and today she has millions of fans.'
Admiration Unchanged, and a Song to Seal It
Kakkar made clear her feelings had not dimmed with time. 'Aapko kya lagta hai main tab fan thi, abhi fan nahi hoon? Nahi, nahi... I still admire you aur pehle bhi karti thi,' she said — 'Do you think I was your fan only back then? No... I still admire you just as much.' She then requested Khandelwal to sing for her again, as he had done years earlier. Honouring the request, he performed 'Thoda Sa Pyaar Hua Hai', the signature track from 'Kahiin To Hoga', reviving memories of the beloved show.
Notably, Khandelwal's portrayal of Sujal alongside actress Aamna Sharif as Kashish is widely regarded as one of the most iconic on-screen pairings in Indian television history, a cultural touchstone of the early 2000s that clearly left a lasting impression — even on one of Bollywood's biggest voices.
Point of View
Giving the moment an authenticity that reality television rarely achieves. What it also underlines is the enduring cultural weight of 'Kahiin To Hoga': two decades on, Sujal remains a shorthand for a certain kind of early-2000s longing. For Khandelwal, who has largely stayed away from the mainstream spotlight, the episode is a reminder of a cultural footprint that outlasted the show itself. The real story here is less about celebrity gossip and more about how a single fictional character can anchor a generation's memory.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Neha Kakkar reveal about Rajeev Khandelwal on Tum Ho Naa?
Neha Kakkar revealed that she had a major crush on Rajeev Khandelwal's character Sujal from 'Kahiin To Hoga' during her Indian Idol days, even naming him as her favourite celebrity on the show. She also shared that he visited her at home while she was recovering from chickenpox.
What is 'Kahiin To Hoga' and who is Sujal?
'Kahiin To Hoga' was a popular Indian television drama from the early 2000s. Sujal was the lead character played by Rajeev Khandelwal, whose on-screen pairing with Aamna Sharif as Kashish became one of the most celebrated couples in Indian TV history.
Who is Neha Kakkar's husband and was he present during the revelation?
Neha Kakkar's husband is singer Rohanpreet Singh. He was present on the episode of Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar when she made the confession, and Kakkar playfully acknowledged he might be feeling a little jealous.
What song did Rajeev Khandelwal sing on the show?
Rajeev Khandelwal sang 'Thoda Sa Pyaar Hua Hai', the iconic track associated with 'Kahiin To Hoga', at Neha Kakkar's request during the episode.
What was the emotional highlight of the episode?
An old video featuring both Rajeev Khandelwal and Neha Kakkar was played as a surprise on the show, visibly moving Kakkar. Khandelwal also reflected on her journey from a hopeful Indian Idol contestant to a singer with millions of fans.
