Meet Rajesh Kumar, 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai' Fame, Comeback With 'Saiyaara', His Stardom And Bankruptcy

Rajesh Kumar is a name that millions of Indian television fans remember. Born on January 20, 1976, in Patna, Bihar, he has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry with his impeccable comic timing, versatile performances, and memorable characters. While he has played many roles over the years, he is best remembered as ‘Rosesh’ from the cult sitcom, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. His performance as 'Rosesh' made him a household name and earned him multiple awards.

Beyond the glitz of television, Rajesh Kumar has had a journey which is deeply inspiring. From his roots in Bihar to graduating from Delhi University’s prestigious Hindu College, and later moving to Mumbai with dreams of becoming an actor, his story is one that inspires many. Over the years, Rajesh has explored comedy and drama, and even stepped away from acting to take up farming before returning to the screen. Today, with projects like Saiyaara adding to his filmography, Rajesh Kumar continues to reinvent himself. Let's have a look at his life and journey.

Rajesh Kumar’s early life and education

Rajesh Kumar was born on January 20, 1976, in Patna, Bihar, and spent his formative years in the region with his family. Coming from a modest background, his journey towards the entertainment world was not a straightforward one. His family’s ancestral roots lie in Gaya District, Bihar, where they still maintain their ancestral home.

After completing his schooling, Rajesh moved to Delhi for higher education. He pursued a degree at Hindu College, University of Delhi, where he became actively involved in theatre. His participation in college plays not only honed his acting skills but also gave him the confidence to pursue a career in acting. Later, he enrolled in a course in Mass Communication in Mumbai, which marked his first big step toward entering the entertainment industry.

Rajesh Kumar’s career beginnings

Rajesh Kumar’s entry into acting was somewhat unexpected. Shortly after moving to Mumbai, he received a call from a friend who was working as a scriptwriter. The friend suggested he audition for a role, and Rajesh, though new to the city, took the opportunity. His audition impressed the makers, and he bagged his first role, setting him on the path of becoming a television actor.

He made his debut in television with the show Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand (2001–2005), which helped him gain recognition among audiences. Rajesh also appeared in several other shows early in his career, but it was his unique blend of charm and comic flair that stood out and made him a household name. His film debut came later with Super Nani (2014).

Rajesh Kumar’s iconic role in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai

It was in 2004 that Rajesh Kumar’s career skyrocketed after he was cast as ‘Rosesh Sarabhai’ in the sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. His portrayal of 'Rosesh', a quirky, aspiring poet with a high-pitched voice and naive personality, became one of the most loved and memorable characters in Indian television history to date.

The show, which starred actors like Satish Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Sumeet Raghavan, turned into a cult classic, and Rajesh’s ‘Rosesh’ was at the heart of the show's humour. His poetic one-liners, childlike innocence, and comic expressions made audiences laugh for years and earned him two Indian Telly Awards for Best Comic Role. Even today, reruns of the show and online clips have made ‘Rosesh’ into an icon in pop culture.

Rajesh Kumar’s family and love life

Rajesh Kumar is happily married to Madhvi Chopra, whom he wed in 2004. The couple shares a strong bond, and Rajesh often credits his wife for being his pillar of support throughout his career. Together, they are parents to two sons, Aahan and another younger child, and the family resides in Mumbai.

Despite his busy schedule, Rajesh maintains a close connection with his roots in Bihar and often visits his ancestral home in Gaya. Interestingly, at the age of 41, he briefly stepped away from acting to take up farming, believing it to be a more purposeful and grounding profession. However, his love for acting eventually brought him back to the screen.

Rajesh Kumar left acting for farming and his struggles with debt

In 2017, at the peak of his television career, Rajesh Kumar made the bold decision to quit acting and decided to pick up farming. Known for his roles in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Yeh Meri Family, and Neeli Chhatri Waale, he wanted to change the way people saw agriculture. He launched a family farming business, hoping to deliver fresh produce directly to consumers.

Initially, some friends supported him by subscribing, but many ignored his efforts. Despite his determination, the venture began to fail. Rajesh recalled how he once had to sell vegetables outside his son’s school. His son, then in third grade, even urged teachers to buy vegetables from him. Though painful, Rajesh insisted his goal was to show that selling vegetables was not a menial job, but a dignified profession that deserved respect.

Unfortunately, the startup went into heavy losses. Rajesh admitted that he had miscalculated expenses, resulting in a loss of Rs. 22-25 per kg of produce, which turned to nearly Rs. 12-15 lakh, in addition to a debt of almost Rs. 1 crore. His troubles worsened when an app developer betrayed him, which resulted in additional financial losses and ultimately forced him to shut down his business. Despite these hardships, Rajesh didn’t lose hope and eventually returned to the acting world.

Rajesh Kumar recalled being ragged on Sarabhai vs Sarabhai sets

In a candid interview for the YouTube channel, Be You With Shraddha S, Rajesh Kumar shared how intimidating it was to work alongside big names like Satish Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah when he was new to the comedy scene. He admitted that during the 1.5 years of shooting, he often felt ragged by his co-stars. Despite being married, he joked that the treatment made him feel like a bachelor on set. One tough day involved a lengthy monologue where he kept forgetting lines, and after multiple retakes, Satish Shah scolded him, saying, call him when he remembers his lines. The incident left Rajesh teary-eyed, though he later laughed about it with his cast.

Rajesh Kumar’s upcoming projects in films and OTT

After returning to acting, Rajesh Kumar has many projects in line. Recently, he starred in the romantic drama Mannu Kya Karegga alongside Saachi Bindra, Vinay Pathak, and Kumud Mishra. He also appeared in Mohit Suri’s hit  romance musical Saiyaara as ‘Mr. Batra’, the father of ‘Vaani’ played by Aneet Padda. According to IMDb, Rajesh will next be seen in Nishaanchi, directed by Anurag Kashyap, which is scheduled for release on September 19, 2025.

Rajesh Kumar’s story story began from a small town in Bihar to the city of dreams, Mumbai. Even with setbacks and struggles, his true passion and his fans' love helped him pave the way back to success.

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