'Didn't want to do...TV': Rajat Bedi recalls rejecting Ektaa's offer
What's the story
Bollywood actor Rajat Bedi, who has been a part of films like Koi...Mil Gaya and Partner, recently opened up about his career struggles. In an interview with News18 Showsha, he revealed that despite acting in around 40-50 films, he was unable to secure consistent work. This led him to leave India for Canada, where he tried his hand at real estate development.
Career crossroads
'I wasn't getting work'
Bedi shared that he broke down in 2005 due to a lack of growth in his career. "I've done some 40-50 films, and despite that, I wasn't getting work. That's why I left the country." He said, "[Ektaa Kapoor's] Balaji Telefilms offered me a show, but I didn't want to do television. I was very confused. I thought that if I do it and if that also doesn't work, my career as an actor is completely done."
Personal challenges
'I went through a lot of pain'
Bedi also spoke about the emotional toll of seeing his friends succeed while he struggled. "I went through a lot of pain. I would see friends around me, who were super successful." "My best friends are all billionaires. I would look at them and tell myself, 'Rajat, when will you grow?' I was getting name and fame, but I couldn't use them to buy and eat food."
Ongoing challenges
Bedi struggled in Canada, too
Even after moving to Vancouver and switching careers, Bedi's life didn't improve significantly. "Once I moved to Canada and got into real estate development, that also wasn't doing well. I struggled in Canada, too." He did films like The Hero: Love Story of A Spy and International Khiladi while in Canada, but found Bollywood a "hard industry" to navigate.
Career insights
Advice to aspiring actors
Bedi also shared his thoughts on the challenges of acting as a career. "Acting is one of the toughest careers. It can literally kill you. You've to stay mentally and physically strong and stay relevant." "A lot of people give up. It's very challenging." He advised aspiring actors not to solely depend on acting for their livelihood and to ensure they provide a good lifestyle for their families financially. Bedi recently made his comeback with The Bads of Bollywood.