Rajat Bedi, who recently grabbed headlines for his cameo in Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood, fondly revisited his early days in the industry. He shared how his bond with Shah Rukh Khan began on the sets of Zamana Deewana (1995) and how destiny took him towards modelling while SRK pursued acting.“My bond with Shah Rukh started on that film. After it, I shifted to modelling and became the first title holder of the Gladrags modelling competition. I went to Australia for the world final. This was the same year when Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai went for Miss World. I got third place over there, and when I came back, I celebrated with Aishwarya and Sushmita,” Rajat recalled at the Khajuraho International Film Festival (KIFF).
From setbacks to a comeback
The actor also spoke about the struggles behind his return to showbiz, confessing how he was “used and abused” in business and left behind despite years of effort. Rajat said, “I have been used and abused and left behind specially in my work. I have faced the consequences of trusting people. It happened in Canada. I was a real estate developer and an actor. I had partners who did the numbers on me. I faced bad consequences but it was great also for me because it made me move back to India.”
Film legacy and next generation
Rajat belongs to a celebrated film family and revealed that his son is now preparing to enter films. “I am the third generation of a family and the good news is that the fourth generation is getting ready. My son is getting ready to become an actor. He is 22 years old. He is far more good-looking than me,” he said.For the unversed, Rajat is the son of filmmaker Narendra Bedi, who helmed classics like Jawani Diwani, Bandhan and Benaam. His grandfather Rajinder Singh Bedi penned acclaimed works such as Abhimaan, Anupama and Satyakam.
Return to Bollywood with Aryan Khan’s OTT debut
After a 16-year gap, Rajat is set for a big return with Aryan Khan’s OTT debut and other large-scale projects. “It’s a blessing for actors because OTT has created so many opportunities. You will actually see me in Bollywood after 16 years. This is like daddy of all Bollywood. Both of them are colossally big. I was specially called for these projects because of my past work in films.”He also revealed that his elder sister is an established writer working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Love and War. “She wrote Agneepath (2012) for Karan Johar, and now she is writing for Sanjay Leela Bhansali — the film that is on floor with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.”
On being sidelined in Koi Mil Gaya
Rajat, best remembered for his negative role in Hrithik Roshan’s Koi Mil Gaya, admitted he was excluded from the film’s promotions. “Koi Mil Gaya was publicized with Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Rakesh Roshan. I was left out in the publicity, but till today, people recognise me and love me for that role. It was wonderful to work with Rakesh ji. He is one of the best directors I have worked with.” Go to Source
