Rajat Bedi has become an overnight sensation after playing a pivotal role in Aryan Khan’s much-talked-about series The Ba***ds of Bollywood. In the show, he portrayed an actor who had been out of work for over 15 years — bound by a contract that turned sinister, preventing him from signing new projects. In real life, though no such contract existed, but Rajat’s story wasn’t too far off. He had stayed away from the film industry for nearly two decades — not by choice, but because opportunities simply stopped coming his way. Eventually, he packed his bags and moved to Canada with his family, leaving behind a familiar world.
Now, having returned to Mumbai, Rajat opened up to Farah Khan on her YouTube vlog about how Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan became nothing short of angels in his life.
“Once, I met Shah Rukh Khan and broke down,” Rajat recalled, adding, “I asked myself, ‘What am I even doing in Canada?’”
Talking about his decision to move abroad, Rajat Bedi shared, “I did about 50 films — played the lead in around 20 of them. But things just didn’t click. I had two choices — either switch to television or settle in Canada. I chose the latter. It was actually an overnight decision; I didn’t have friends or family there. I just packed my bags and left.”
Even the success of Koi Mil Gaya — one of the biggest hits of its time — didn’t change much for him.
“Despite the film’s success, it didn’t open new doors. I felt lost. I wanted to grow, to do more. That’s when I moved to Canada and started doing construction work.”
The irony, he said, was that people in Canada, too, recognised his face but couldn’t recall his name.
Story continues below this ad
ALSO READ | Jemimah Rodrigues opens up on dealing with anxiety during Women’s World Cup, Deepika Padukone thanks her for ‘sharing’ her story
“Everyone would say, ‘I think I have seen you somewhere,’ but they never remembered my name. Now, thankfully, they do.”
Everything changed when Aryan Khan reached out.
“Aryan’s show was truly God-sent for me,” Rajat said with gratitude.
He fondly remembered the day it all began.
“In December 2022, I got a call from Bonnie Jain who is part of Aryan Khan’s team. He said, ‘Aryan wants to see you.’ I thought it was a prank! I laughed and said, ‘What? Shah Rukh Khan’s son wants to meet me? Why?’ Then Bonnie told me Aryan was directing a project and wanted me for a role. I couldn’t believe it. I literally pinched myself.”
Without hesitation, Rajat flew to Mumbai.
Story continues below this ad
“Aryan personally came to receive me at his office. He’s such a sweet boy — so respectful. You will instantly fall in love with him,” Rajat shared.
Farah Khan chimed in during the vlog, “Yes, he’s such a well-mannered young man. I even asked Aryan why he thought of casting Rajat Bedi. He said, ‘I have been obsessed with him since childhood. I used to watch his films and remember all his characters!’ I was so happy to see how filmy my boy turned out to be.”
For Rajat, this wasn’t just a comeback — it was a rebirth.
“Aryan didn’t just relaunch me; he gave my entire family a new beginning. My kids, Vera and Vivaan, became overnight sensations. He came into my life like an angel and changed everything.”
He believes this turn of fate was destiny.
Story continues below this ad
“Maybe it’s the prayers of my parents and family that finally worked. Honestly, I never wanted to leave Bollywood. I just didn’t get the right roles. Ba***ds of Bollywood came out of nowhere — like a miracle.”
ALSO READ | Parmeet Sethi jokes about SS Rajamouli, says ‘a mooli from South has become very famous’; Archana Puran Singh apologises: ‘If you are watching…’
Interestingly, his son is now training under Aryan Khan.
“My son was assisting Aryan during the shoot. It’s surreal because I also started my career alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Ramesh Sippy’s Zamaana Deewana. I worked with him for two and a half years — and somehow, he’s always been connected to my life in some way.”
Rajat Bedi also recalled a touching moment from his years in Canada.
Story continues below this ad
“Once, we threw a party where Shah Rukh Khan was present. He called me to his private room, and the moment I saw him, I broke down. He was shocked and asked what happened. I told him, ‘I just couldn’t handle it. It hit me — what am I doing in Canada?’ Even though I was producing Punjabi films, my heart ached for Bollywood. I used to tell people, ‘Sir, if there’s anything suitable for me, please let me know. I want to make a comeback.’”
Now, back in Mumbai, Rajat Bedi is ready to embrace the second inning of his career. “I am here, and I am ready. I just want to act again.”
Rajat Bedi talks about Shah Rukh Khan. (Photo: Rajat Bedi/Instagram)