Rajat Bedi Calls Bollywood 'Unforgiving Industry' As 'No One Looked Back' After Producer Father's Demise

Rajat

Bedi is back in action! The actor never managed to achieve lasting stardom or secure prominent projects. By the mid-2000s, work opportunities began to fade, and he eventually moved to Canada to build a new life. However, the actor recently made his return to India, working in a few regional films before gaining attention once again with his performance in Aryan Khan’s The Ba ***ds of Bollywood.

A Star Kid Who Struggled Despite His Legacy

Rajat Bedi’s journey serves as a reminder that nepotism doesn’t guarantee success for everyone. Despite being the son of director-producer Narendra Bedi and the grandson of legendary writer-director Rajinder Singh Bedi, Rajat found little success for much of his career. In a recent interview, he revealed that after his father’s untimely demise, the film industry turned its back on his family.“I was nine years old when I lost my father. He was 45. I remember vividly that no one from the industry looked back at us, except for director Prakash Mehra and his family. For about six months to a year after Papa’s death, Prakash-ji sent money to our house, telling my mother, ‘Bhabhi, don’t worry.’ My mother has been a housewife her entire life. She hasn’t done anything besides bringing three children up on her own. Besides Prakash-ji, no one else looked back. It’s a very unforgiving industry,” he shared during a conversation with Siddharth Kannan.ALSO READ: Bobby Deol Didn't Read The Ba***ds of Bollywood Script Before Signing It: Had To Be There For Aryan Khan | Exclusive

Starting Over and Finding His Way

Rajat further revealed that his grandfather passed away two years after his father, leaving the family disconnected from the film industry.“After that, we were out of the industry until I wanted to start working. One day, Mom asked me what I wanted to do. I was lost. She asked me to assist Ramesh Sippy. She went and spoke to him, and he agreed immediately. I was 18 when I joined him and worked on the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Zamaana Deewana. I was pretty close with SRK at that time, and we worked together for about two and a half years. He used to call me ‘Tiger’ because I was this aggressive guy, and also because there were two Rajats on set.”

Shah Rukh Khan’s Touching Gesture

Recalling a recent heartwarming moment, Rajat shared how Shah Rukh Khan still remembered him fondly decades later. “I remember going to his house for the preview of The Ba***ds of Bollywood trailer. It was an extended trailer, so he had invited some close people. Before the screening, he made a little speech about the show. He spoke about me as well, mentioning, ‘And Tiger is also a part of this.’ I was stunned that he still remembered that name. He doesn’t forget anything,” Rajat recalled.

Rajat Bedi’s Work Front

Rajat Bedi is known for his performances in films like 2001: Do Hazaar Ek, International Khiladi, Indian, Koi… Mil Gaya, Rakht, Khamoshh… Khauff Ki Raat, and Rocky – The Rebel.