Rajat Bedi

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Rajat Bedi
Rajat Bedi in 2014.jpg
Bedi in 2014
Born (1972-06-22) 22 June 1972 (age 53)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
CitizenshipCanadian
Occupation(s)Actor, producer, former model
Years active1994–present
SpouseMonalisa Bedi
Children2
Relatives Bedi family

Rajat Bedi (born 22 June 1972) is an Indo-Canadian actor, producer, and former model known primarily for his work in Hindi cinema, with roles in Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films. He is the son of director-producer Narendra Bedi and grandson of Urdu writer-director Rajinder Singh Bedi. [1]

Contents

Early life

Rajat Bedi was born in Mumbai, India, to filmmaker Narendra Bedi and the grandson of Rajinder Singh Bedi, known for classics like Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam . After his father’s death at age 45, when Rajat was 9, the family faced financial hardship. In a 2024 interview, Bedi recalled that only filmmaker Prakash Mehra provided financial support to his mother for several months. [2] Two years later, his grandfather’s death further distanced the family from Bollywood. His mother encouraged him to re-enter the industry at 18 by assisting director Ramesh Sippy. During the filming of Zamaana Deewana (1995), Shah Rukh Khan nicknamed him "Tiger". [2]

Career

Fashion model

Bedi began his career as a fashion model, winning the inaugural Gladrags Manhunt Contest in 1994. [3]

Actor

Bedi debuted as a lead in the 1998 sci-fi film 2001: Do Hazaar Ek , which was a commercial failure. [3] He transitioned to supporting and antagonistic roles, gaining recognition for playing Raj Saxena in the 2003 blockbuster Koi... Mil Gaya , directed by Rakesh Roshan. [4] He has appeared in over 40 films, including Jodi No.1 (2001), Rakht (2004), Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat (2005), and Rocky - The Rebel (2006). [5]

His television credits include:

YearSeriesRoleNotes
1993–1996 Humrahi
2002–2008 Kasautii Zindagii Kay
2006–2007 Aahat

After facing limited opportunities in Bollywood, Bedi relocated to Vancouver, Canada, where he ventured into real estate but faced financial setbacks. [6] He returned to acting with roles in South Indian films, including the Tamil film Gajendra (2004), Kannada film Jaggu Dada (2016), and Telugu film Ahimsa (2023). [3] [7] In 2025, he made a Hindi cinema comeback with a role as Jaraj Saxena in the Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood , directed by Aryan Khan, earning praise and expressing gratitude to Shah Rukh Khan for reviving his career. [4] [8] [9]

Producer

With his sister Ila Bedi Dutta, Bedi co-produced the 2015 television series Lajwanti , based on his grandfather’s book set during the Partition of India. [5] In 2023, he co-produced and starred in the Punjabi comedy film Gol Gappe , inspired by Hera Pheri . [6] [10]

Personal life

Bedi is married to Monalisa Bedi, sister of actress Tulip Joshi, [11] and resided in Vancouver, Canada, with their two children, Vivaan and Vera Bedi until July 2023, when they returned to Mumbai. [8] [1] He has discussed his struggles with industry politics, including a fallout with Salman Khan over a shelved Rs 100 crore film project. [12] He also revealed how his father’s career was impacted by 1970s Bollywood rivalries between Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, leading to financial ruin and alcoholism. [2] [13]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995 Karan Arjun Special appearance [1]
1998 2001: Do Hazaar Ek Inspector Rajat
1999 International Khiladi Amit
2001 Jodi No.1 TigerGuest appearance
Indian Sanjay Singhania
2002 Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa Vijay Varma
Maa Tujhhe Salaam Capt. Naseer KhanGuest appearance
Ab Ke Baras Rajbir Singhal
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani Rajesh
Chor Machaaye Shor Tony
2003 The Hero: Love Story of a Spy Militant
Border Hindustan Ka Hari Singh
Koi... Mil Gaya Raj SaxenaBreakthrough role
2004 Woh Tera Naam Tha Basharat Ali
Rakht ACP Ranbir Singh
Gajendra Chotta Babu Tamil
2005 Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat Varun
Fun: Can Be Dangerous Sometimes
Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! PunkySpecial appearance
Bluffmaster! Special appearance [1]
2006 Aksar Officer Steve Bakshi
Rocky - The Rebel Anthony D'Silva
Hello? Kaun Hai!Sanjeev
2007 Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee Rohit Kumar
The Train Officer Asif Ahmed KhanSpecial appearance
Partner Neil Bakshi
2008Lakh Pardesi HoiyeHarry Punjabi
2012Monopoly the Game of Money
2016 Jaggu Dada Don Subhash Bhai Kannada
2023 Gol Gappe Pali Punjabi
Ahimsa Dushtanth Telugu
2025 The Ba***ds of Bollywood Jaraj Saxena Netflix Hindi series

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Who is Rajat Bedi? Know everything about Koi Mil Gaya actor who made a smashing comeback with The Bads Of Bollywood". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Express Web Desk (19 September 2024). "Rajat Bedi says no one from film industry supported his family except Prakash Mehra: 'He sent money home for months'". The Indian Express . Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Baddie cool". The Hindu . Chennai, India. 26 July 2004. Archived from the original on 30 September 2004. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Ba***ds Of Bollywood: 'OG Villain' Rajat Bedi's Comeback Takes Internet By Storm, Fans Thank Aryan Khan". Times Now. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  5. 1 2 Maheshwri, Neha (6 October 2015). "Rajat Bedi: Life always felt incomplete being away from the film industry". The Times of India . Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. TNN. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  6. 1 2 Entertainment Desk (18 September 2025). "Ba***ds of Bollywood actor left the industry after his role was chopped off by Rakesh Roshan, became real estate developer in Canada but 'lost it all'". The Indian Express . New Delhi: Indian Express Group. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  7. ↑ SM, Shashiprasad (10 June 2016). "Jaggu Dada movie review: This senseless commercial comedy encashes on stardom". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Rajat Bedi recalls how Shah Rukh Khan revived his career with Ba***ds of Bollywood; 'I'm completely indebted to him'". Pinkvilla. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Rajat Bedi Makes Comeback With Aryan Khan's Ba***ds of Bollywood, Thanks Shah Rukh Khan". Zee News. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Gol Gappe: A comedy of errors". The Tribune. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  11. ↑ Rajguru, Sumit (15 September 2025). "Lost Stars: Rajat Bedi – Bollywood's Classic Villain Set For Badass Comeback; Why Did He Vanish From Showbiz?". Times Now . Retrieved 27 October 2025. Rajat is married to actress Tulip Joshi's sister, Monalisa Bedi, and the couple has two children.
  12. ↑ "Rajat Bedi Says Salman Khan Dropped Him From Rs 100 Cr Film Despite Promising Comeback". News18. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Rajat Bedi recalls how Rajesh Khanna-Amitabh Bachchan rivalry destroyed his father's career: 'He'd wait for days with entire unit'". Hindustan Times. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
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