Rajat Bedi, a name synonymous with Bollywood villain roles and a memorable appearance in "Koi... Mil Gaya," is experiencing a resurgence in his career, marked by his role in Aryan Khan's directorial debut, "The Ba***ds of Bollywood". This comeback follows a period of financial struggles and a move to Canada, making his recent success all the more significant.
Financial Struggles and Setbacks:
After his career plateaued in the mid-2000s, despite appearing in the hit film "Koi... Mil Gaya", Bedi shifted to Canada and ventured into real estate. However, he faced setbacks, including being cheated by partners. He has spoken about bounced checks and financial instability that led to his decision to seek opportunities outside of India. Bedi has also mentioned instances of non-payment for film projects. Despite these challenges, Rajat Bedi's estimated net worth is around ₹50 to ₹60 crore, which is a result of diversified income streams from acting, production, business ventures, modeling, endorsements, real estate, and investments.
The Aryan Khan Connection:
Rajat Bedi's return to the limelight is largely due to his role as Jaraj Saxena in Aryan Khan's "The Ba***ds of Bollywood". Bedi revealed that he was working for the past three years and was unaware that Aryan already had a role in mind for him. Aryan Khan's team reached out to Bedi through a mutual connection. Bedi initially couldn't believe that Aryan Khan wanted to meet him. Bedi stated that Aryan was very nervous about meeting him. Bedi has expressed immense gratitude towards Aryan Khan for this opportunity.
Before accepting the role, Rajat Bedi had one condition for Aryan Khan: that his son would assist him on the show. Bedi's reasoning was that he started his career assisting Aryan's father, Shah Rukh Khan, and it would be a full-circle moment for his son to begin his career with Aryan. Aryan Khan agreed to this condition, and Bedi's son has been assisting him for the last two years.
Relationship with Shah Rukh Khan:
Rajat Bedi's connection with the Khan family goes back to his early days in the industry. He began his career as an assistant director on Shah Rukh Khan's film, "Zamana Deewana". Bedi shared that Shah Rukh Khan had told him about Aryan's project and encouraged him to consider it. He fondly remembers celebrating with Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen after winning third place at the Gladrags modeling competition in Australia, the same year they won Miss World and Miss Universe, respectively.
"Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani" and Other Roles:
While Rajat Bedi is known for his role in "Koi... Mil Gaya", he has also appeared in films like "International Khiladi", "Jodi No. 1", and "Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani". Despite a long career, Bedi faced a period where he felt "used and abused" in the industry.
Family and Personal Life:
Rajat Bedi is married to Monalisa Bedi, the sister of actress Tulip Joshi. They have two children: a son named Vivaan and a daughter named Vera. Vera Bedi has recently gained attention for her appearance at "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" premiere. Bedi comes from a film-oriented family. His father, Narendra Bedi, was a filmmaker, and his grandfather, Rajinder Singh Bedi, was a writer.
Future Projects and "The Bads of Bollywood" Season 2:*
Rajat Bedi has confirmed that "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" will return for a second season. He expressed hope that audiences will see more of his character, Jaraj Saxena, in the upcoming season.
