Rajat Bedi, the actor known for his role as the antagonist Raj Saxena in the 2003 blockbuster "Koi... Mil Gaya," has expressed his gratitude to director Rakesh Roshan for the part, acknowledging its lasting impact on his career. In a recent interview, Bedi reflected on the film and its significance in his life.
Bedi admitted that he wasn't a mature actor at the time of filming "Koi... Mil Gaya". He recalled a specific scene with Hrithik Roshan (Duggu), where he felt he didn't perform to his full potential. According to Bedi, Rakesh Roshan had wanted him to "own" the scene and "eat Duggu up," but Bedi felt he didn't quite achieve that. He felt heartbroken after Rakesh Roshan pointed out that he should have dominated the scene.
Despite feeling that he could have done better in the scene, Bedi is thankful for the opportunity and the recognition he received from the film. He acknowledged that "Koi... Mil Gaya" remains one of Bollywood's most iconic sci-fi dramas. He also expressed that the role has had a lasting impact, stating that it has "kept him alive" until today.
However, Bedi has also spoken about his disappointment in the past regarding his experience with "Koi… Mil Gaya". He felt that the film's success didn't translate into career advancement for him. Many of his scenes were cut from the final version of the film, which he said dealt a blow to his career and mental well-being. He also mentioned feeling left out of the film's promotional activities. He later clarified that there was no fallout with Rakesh Roshan or the team.
After a period away from the film industry, Rajat Bedi has recently made a comeback. He appeared in Aryan Khan's web series "The Baddies of Bollywood," where he played a role that mirrored his own experiences of being out of work for many years. He described the role as "very personal" and "cathartic".
Bedi's career began as a fashion model, winning the Gladrags Manhunt Contest in 1994. He debuted as a lead actor in the 1998 sci-fi film "2001: Do Hazaar Ek," before transitioning to supporting and antagonistic roles. He has appeared in over 40 films.
