Rajeev Khandelwal reveals claustrophobia battle during struggling days on 'Tum Ho Naa'
Synopsis
Rajeev Khandelwal's confession on 'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar' is more than a fear story — it is a window into the unglamorous grind of a struggling actor taking overnight Rajdhani Express journeys on a top berth, gasping for air, and later choosing to walk into an underground tunnel abroad just to beat the same dread. The method he describes — throwing yourself at the fear — is the show's most quietly powerful moment.
Key Takeaways
Rajeev Khandelwal opens up about claustrophobia on the upcoming episode of 'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar' .
He recalled feeling suffocated on the top berth of the Third AC coach of the Rajdhani Express during his Delhi-to-Mumbai struggling-days commute.
He would leave his berth and stand by the open train door to breathe, once explaining himself to a ticket checker.
He later confronted the fear by walking through an underground tunnel during an international trip, choosing self-exposure over avoidance.
Khandelwal says he has largely overcome claustrophobia by repeatedly pushing himself toward the source of his fear.
Actor Rajeev Khandelwal has opened up about battling claustrophobia during his early years in the industry, sharing a candid account on the upcoming episode of the reality show 'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar', which he hosts. The confession offers a rare personal glimpse into the hardships he faced while making the journey from Delhi to Mumbai as a struggling actor.
The Rajdhani Express Confession
Khandelwal recalled how his claustrophobia would surface during overnight train journeys on the Rajdhani Express, specifically while lying on the top berth of the Third AC coach. In his own words: 'Main Delhi se Mumbai aaya karta tha jab struggle kar raha tha, toh woh train hoti thi Rajdhani humaari. Uska jo Third AC ka compartment hota tha, uski top berth par jab main leta tha, toh mujhe lagta tha ki yaar yeh toh band ho raha hai.'
He described feeling suffocated by the limited space above the berth, adding that he would leave his seat, walk to the end of the coach, and open the train door just to breathe. On one occasion, when a ticket checker found him standing outside his compartment, Khandelwal said he could only explain: 'Kya bataun sir aapko, main AC compartment mein hoon aur hawa le raha hoon' — essentially telling the checker he was in an air-conditioned coach yet standing by the door for fresh air.
How He Chose to Face the Fear
Rather than avoiding confined spaces, Khandelwal said he made a deliberate choice to confront his fear head-on. He recounted visiting an underground tunnel during a trip abroad, knowing it was well-lit and safe, yet feeling the familiar dread. He pushed himself through it anyway.
'Jab dar itna haavi ho jaaye aap par ki aap khud ko usmein jhonk do, kahin na kahin agar aap mein himmat hai, toh aap tair kar uss taraf nikal hi jaayenge,' he said — meaning that when fear threatens to overwhelm you, throwing yourself into it is often the only way through, provided you have the courage to keep going.
The Broader Philosophy on Fear
Khandelwal also shared a more introspective admission: that what unsettles him most is not fear itself, but the absence of it. He said he sometimes worries about why he does not feel afraid, suggesting a level of self-awareness that goes beyond the claustrophobia anecdote. He noted that he has largely managed to overcome his fear of confined spaces through repeated self-exposure — a method consistent with what behavioural therapists describe as gradual desensitisation.
About the Show
'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar' is a reality format hosted by Khandelwal that features candid conversations and personal revelations from its participants. The episode featuring these disclosures is set to air shortly. The show adds to Khandelwal's recent visibility on the small screen after a career that has spanned television, film, and OTT platforms.
The actor's willingness to discuss personal vulnerabilities on a mainstream platform reflects a broader shift in Indian entertainment, where celebrity candour around mental and emotional struggles is increasingly welcomed by audiences.
Point of View
Not business-class flights. Whether the show sustains this depth across episodes, or whether this is a one-off candid moment, will determine its long-term value beyond promotional airtime.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rajeev Khandelwal reveal about claustrophobia on 'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar'?
Rajeev Khandelwal revealed that he suffered from claustrophobia during his struggling days, particularly while travelling on the top berth of the Third AC coach of the Rajdhani Express between Delhi and Mumbai. He said the confined space made him feel suffocated, forcing him to walk to the train door for fresh air.
How did Rajeev Khandelwal overcome his claustrophobia?
Khandelwal said he chose to confront his fear directly rather than avoid it. He described walking through an underground tunnel during an international trip as a deliberate act of self-exposure, and said that throwing yourself into the source of fear — if you have the courage — is how he has managed to overcome it most of the time.
What is 'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar'?
'Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar' is a reality show hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal that features candid personal conversations. The upcoming episode includes Khandelwal's own confession about battling claustrophobia during his early career.
What was the ticket checker incident Rajeev Khandelwal mentioned?
During his Rajdhani Express journeys, Khandelwal would leave his Third AC berth and stand by the open train door to ease his claustrophobia. When a ticket checker found him there, he explained that despite being in an air-conditioned compartment, he needed to stand outside just to breathe.
What broader philosophy on fear did Rajeev Khandelwal share?
Beyond claustrophobia, Khandelwal shared that what unsettles him most is actually the absence of fear — he said he sometimes worries about why he does not feel afraid. He believes that when fear becomes overwhelming, the only way through it is to push yourself directly into it.
