Rajat Bedi, recently in the spotlight for his cameo in Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Ba**ds of Bollywood, opened up about his career, challenges, and return to the industry. In a candid conversation, the actor reflected on feeling “used and abused” in business, his memorable villainous role in Hrithik Roshan’s Koi Mil Gaya, and being left out of the film’s promotional campaigns.
At the Khajuraho International Film Festival (KIFF), Rajat shared, “I’ve been exploited and sidelined in my career. Trusting the wrong people cost me dearly, especially during my time in Canada. As a real estate developer and actor, I had partners who betrayed me financially. Those setbacks were tough, but they pushed me to return to India, which turned out to be a blessing.”
Rajat also spoke proudly of his family’s cinematic legacy, noting that he is a third-generation actor. He revealed exciting news about his son’s upcoming debut, saying, “The fourth generation is on its way. My 22-year-old son is gearing up to become an actor, and he’s much more handsome than I am!” When pressed about his son’s debut timeline, Rajat teased, “It’s happening soon.”
Rajat Bedi, marking his comeback with Aryan Khan’s OTT debut The Ba**ds of Bollywood, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities digital platforms offer. “It’s a huge boon for actors. OTT is brimming with projects, providing a stage for both actors and technicians to showcase their talent,” he said. He also hinted at his grand Bollywood return after a 16-year gap, stating, “I’m back with two massive projects—true Bollywood heavyweights. They’re game-changers, and I was specifically chosen for these because of my past roles.”
Additionally, Rajat shared that his elder sister, a distinguished screenwriter, is currently working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Love and War. “She’s a prolific writer who scripted Agneepath (2012) for Karan Johar. Now, she’s crafting Bhansali’s next big film, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, which is already in production.”
Recounting his early career, Rajat reflected on his connection with Shah Rukh Khan, formed during the filming of Zamana Deewana in 1995. “That’s where my friendship with Shah Rukh began. After the film, I ventured into modeling and won the first-ever Gladrags Manhunt title. I represented India at the world finals in Australia, the same year Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai competed in Miss Universe and Miss World. I secured third place and celebrated with Aishwarya and Sushmita back home.”