Rajesh Kumar is fondly remembered for his iconic portrayal of Rosesh Sarabhai in the popular sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. His comic timing and memorable dialogues made him a household name. He also gained recognition for his roles in Baa Bahoo Aur Baby and Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya, further cementing his position as a versatile actor in Indian television.
In a recent interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Rajesh Kumar shared an anecdote from the sets of Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya. While filming a nine-minute sequence with veteran actor Manohar Singh, Rajesh had a startling experience. He recalled, “We were shooting a scene where my character, intoxicated in a bar, gets slapped by his father. I had never portrayed an alcoholic before, so to prepare, I took a shot of brandy.”
During the final take, after seven minutes of filming, the pivotal moment arrived. Manohar Singh’s slap was much harder than expected. “A strange sound lingered in my ears,” Rajesh recounted. The entire set fell silent. Manohar Singh immediately apologized, explaining his intent was to teach Rajesh a valuable lesson: never drink while acting. “He hugged me and shared the 11 traits of an alcoholic. That experience stayed with me and deepened my understanding of the craft,” Rajesh explained.
Rajesh made a surprising decision in 2019. He left acting to pursue farming, hoping to support future generations. However, farming proved challenging, with multiple failures leading to financial difficulties. Rajesh shared that his financial situation became dire, which forced him to reconsider his career path.
Rajesh’s return to acting began with a role in the popular web series Kota Factory. He also starred in Binny And Family, filmed in the UK. Despite these opportunities, he continued to struggle financially. At one point, Rajesh revealed that he had only Rs 2,500 left in his bank account, and couldn’t afford to buy simple treats like chocolates for his children.
Fortunately, his perseverance paid off. Rajesh has now secured roles in upcoming projects with Bollywood stars Shahid Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, marking a significant revival of his acting career.
