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Rajat Bedi’s Bio, Age, Movies, Career, Family, Net Worth and More

Rajat Bedi is one of those faces Hindi film fans recognize instantly. Tall, athletic, and often cast in intense roles, he became widely known for playing the antagonist Raj Saxena in Koi… Mil Gaya (2003)

But his story is far bigger than a single hit. Rajat started out as a model, won Mr. India at the very first Gladrags Manhunt in 1994, assisted on film sets when he was just a teenager, and hustled through the 1990s and 2000s in a wide range of Hindi films actioners, thrillers, and masala entertainers.

After moving to Canada for a phase and building a business life, he has returned to showbiz with fresh energy, most notably in Aryan Khan’s Netflix series, The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, where he plays Jaraj Saxena.

The comeback has sparked public interest not only in his career, but also in his family especially his daughter Vera, who recently went viral on social media after a red-carpet appearance.

This biography traces the journey: his early life and family background, modeling years, filmography highlights, personal life, a brief controversy he handled responsibly, and his 2025 resurgence.

Rajat Bedi
Rajat Bedi (Image: Source)

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Rajat Bedi’s Biography

Early Life and Film Family Roots

Rajat comes from a respected film and literary lineage. His father, Narendra Bedi, directed popular Hindi films in the 1970s. His mother, Veena Bedi, kept the household connected to that creative world.

His grandfather, Rajinder Singh Bedi, was one of the most important Urdu writers of the twentieth century, with a deep influence on Indian literature and cinema.

Rajat’s siblings are also rooted in media: Manek Bedi has worked as an actor and producer, while Ila Bedi Dutta is a writer and producer known for television. This network gave Rajat early exposure to sets, scripts, and the realities of show business.1

Even beyond family ties, Rajat got close to filmmaking very young. In a recent interview, he recalled that at 18 he worked as an assistant with Ramesh Sippy on Zamaana Deewana and spent significant time around Shah Rukh Khan long before life came “full circle” with SRK’s son Aryan directing him in 2025.

That symmetry starting near SRK, then acting for Aryan decades later frames his narrative like a film script.2

Quick Facts

Field Detail
Full Name Rajat Bedi (also credited as Raj Singh Bedi)
Profession Actor, Producer, Former Model
Known For Raj Saxena in Koi… Mil Gaya (2003); comeback in The Ba**ds of Bollywood* (2025)
Date of Birth January 1, 1970
Height ~6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Citizenship/Nationality Indo-Canadian (Canadian citizenship; works in Hindi cinema)
Parents Father: filmmaker Narendra Bedi; Mother: Veena Bedi
Siblings Brother: Manek Bedi (producer/actor); Sister: Ila Bedi Dutta (writer/producer)
Grandfather Rajinder Singh Bedi (renowned Urdu writer)
Spouse Monalisa (Monaliza) Bedi (m. 1998)
Children Vera Bedi (daughter), Vivaan Bedi (son)
Modeling Highlight First Gladrags Manhunt India winner (1994), Mr. India
Bollywood Debut (Lead) 2001: Do Hazaar Ek (1998)
Breakthrough Koi… Mil Gaya (2003)
Other Notable Films Jodi No. 1 (2001), Maa Tujhhe Salaam (2002), Jaani Dushman (2002), Chor Machaaye Shor (2002), Rakht (2004), Khamoshh… Khauff Ki Raat (2005), Rocky – The Rebel (2006), Partner (2007), The Train (2007)
Recent Work Aryan Khan’s series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* (2025); Season 2 discussed publicly
Based In Has lived in Canada since late 2000s; continues India work
Business Kraftsmen Holdings Ltd (Canada), production ventures
Notable TV/Producer Credit Lajwanti (2015)

Modeling: Mr. India & the Gladrags Breakthrough

Before acting took over, Rajat made a splash as a model. He won the very first Gladrags Manhunt in India in 1994, earning the Mr. India title, and represented the country at Manhunt International in Greece, finishing as fourth runner-up.

The exposure built confidence and opened doors print campaigns, runway, and networking with filmmakers and casting teams.

That early victory still appears in many profiles and interviews because it explains his ease on camera and his composed, athletic screen presence.3

Rajat Bedi
Rajat Bedi (Image: Source)

First Steps in Cinema: 1990s Learning Curve

Rajat’s early screen work blended hustle and humility. He took on assistant and body-double tasks, even doubling for Shah Rukh Khan in films like Karan Arjun (1995) and Duplicate (1998), according to biographical notes.

He also appears on filmographies connected to big-ticket Hindi titles of the 1990s, which kept him close to the action when it mattered most.

His first lead came with 2001: Do Hazaar Ek (1998), a thriller that didn’t set the box office alight, but it got Rajat on posters and taught him what every working actor learns: you keep showing up, project after project, until the right one sticks. That persistence would pay off a few years later.

The Busy Early 2000s: A Reliable On-Screen Presence

The early 2000s were packed for Rajat. He showed range across commercial Hindi films, comedy, action, patriotic drama, and supernatural fiction.

Some of the notable titles from that phase include:

  • Jodi No. 1 (2001)

  • Maa Tujhhe Salaam (2002)

  • Yeh Dil Aashiqana (2002)

  • Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002)

  • Chor Machaaye Shor (2002)

  • Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (2002)

  • Indian (2001)

  • Ansh (2002)

  • Angaar – The Fire (2002)

These were mainstream entertainers with big stars, and Rajat, with his height and screen presence, fit easily into policemen, antagonists, and stylish second leads. While not every role was spotlighted, the cumulative effect built industry familiarity and audience recognition.

Breakthrough: Koi… Mil Gaya (2003)

Rajat’s most recognized role came in 2003 with Koi… Mil Gaya. Playing Raj Saxena, the bully antagonizing Hrithik Roshan’s character, he delivered a performance that struck a chord with audiences.

The film itself became a cultural phenomenon one of the rare Hindi sci-fi dramas that worked across age groups and Rajat’s physicality and sneering cool fit the part almost too well.4

The success brought visibility, but Rajat has been candid that he didn’t fully benefit—he has said in interviews that several of his scenes were cut and that he wasn’t included in promotions, which left him disappointed at the time.

The frustration triggered a period of reflection and eventually a move to Canada, where he diversified beyond acting for a while.

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After the Breakthrough: Thrillers, Action & Character Parts

Post-Koi… Mil Gaya, Rajat continued working across genres:

  • Rakht (2004) a supernatural thriller where he played ACP Ranbir Singh.

  • Khamoshh… Khauff Ki Raat (2005) a horror-thriller that earned him audience appreciation for a darker shade.

  • Rocky The Rebel (2006), Aksar (2006), Partner (2007), The Train (2007) mainstream films that kept him visible through the mid-2000s.

He also explored regional cinema over time Tamil (Gajendra, 2004), Punjabi (Lakh Pardesi Hoiye, 2008; later Gol Gappe, 2023), Kannada (Jaggu Dada, 2016) and dipped into music videos and television production.

That range shows a professional willing to adapt, travel, and keep the craft moving useful habits for a long career.

Canada Chapter

Around the late 2000s, Rajat stepped back from the Mumbai grind and relocated to Canada.

Reports suggest the family has been based there since 2008, and he launched a real-estate construction company, Kraftsmen Holdings Ltd., in 2007.

This period gave him breathing room to build outside the film bubble and be present as a husband and father. In later interviews, he referred to this as his “second innings,” even adopting the name Raj Singh Bedi for a stretch when he returned to entertainment via production and selected roles. 5

In 2015, he produced the television series Lajwanti, adapted from the novel written by his grandfather Rajinder Singh Bedi a poignant bridge between heritage and the present. Moments like this show how deeply the arts run in his family.

Rajat Bedi
Rajat Bedi (Image: Source)

A Note on the 2021 Incident

In September 2021, Rajat was booked by Mumbai Police for alleged rash and negligent driving after his vehicle hit a pedestrian in Andheri.

He stopped immediately, took the injured man to the hospital, and later went to the police station to report the incident. Media reports at the time quoted police statements that the victim appeared to be intoxicated; CCTV and witness statements were being checked.

While such episodes are difficult, Rajat’s immediate actions stopping, helping, reporting were noted.6

Rajat Bedi
Rajat Bedi

Family: Monalisa, Vera & Vivaan

Rajat married Monalisa (also spelled Monaliza) in 1998. They have two children, Vera and Vivaan. The family connection to entertainment extends beyond Rajat’s side: actress Tulip Joshi is widely referenced as a relative through marriage (sister-in-law).

The Bedis have embraced a relatively private family life, especially during their Canada years, but 2025 placed them in the spotlight again.

At the Mumbai premiere of The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, Rajat walked the red carpet with Monalisa, Vera, and Vivaan. Vera’s striking look particularly her light eyes led to viral comparisons to Kareena and Karisma Kapoor, making her an overnight internet sensation.

Rajat later shared that she was overwhelmed by the sudden attention, and some reports suggest she is now considering acting. Vivaan, meanwhile, is already getting first-hand industry experience. 7

The 2025 Comeback: The Ba**ds of Bollywood*

Aryan Khan’s directorial debut series (The Ba**ds of Bollywood* on Netflix) has put Rajat right back in the conversation. He plays Jaraj Saxena, a character steeped in the show’s meta-Bollywood world of nostalgia, in-jokes, and cameos.

The series landed strong chatter, and Rajat’s performance drew warm responses many viewers enjoyed seeing him in a meaty part again. In interviews, he has said this phase “shouldn’t go away,” reflecting the gratitude and hunger of a seasoned actor entering a new chapter.8

There’s also a sweet personal detail behind the scenes: before signing on, Rajat placed one condition with Aryan and Shah Rukh Khan that his son Vivaan be allowed to assist on the project.

They agreed, and Vivaan ended up assisting Aryan “life coming full circle,” as Rajat put it, since he himself had once worked around SRK as a teenager. Public chatter and press items have also hinted at a Season 2 in development, based on comments from Rajat and other coverage. 9

Rajat Bedi
Rajat Bedi

Filmography

1990s

  • Assistant/Body double stints; early appearances and training ground.

  • 2001: Do Hazaar Ek (1998) – lead; a stepping-stone despite a modest outcome.

Early to Mid-2000s (Busy Stretch)

  • Jodi No. 1 (2001)

  • Maa Tujhhe Salaam (2002)

  • Yeh Dil Aashiqana (2002)

  • Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002)

  • Chor Machaaye Shor (2002)

  • Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (2002)

  • Koi… Mil Gaya (2003) – breakthrough antagonist

  • Rakht (2004) – as ACP Ranbir Singh

  • Khamoshh… Khauff Ki Raat (2005) – appreciated performance

  • Rocky – The Rebel (2006); Aksar (2006); Partner (2007); The Train (2007)

Regional & Later Work

  • Tamil: Gajendra (2004)

  • Punjabi: Lakh Pardesi Hoiye (2008), Gol Gappe (2023)

  • Kannada: Jaggu Dada (2016)

  • Music video: Jogi Re Jogi (2022)

  • Producer: TV series Lajwanti (2015)

  • Co-producer: The Diplomat (2024) (per biographical listing)

Comeback (2025)

  • The Ba**ds of Bollywood* (Netflix) – Jaraj Saxena; buzzy return, Season 2 talk reported in press.

FAQs about Rajat Bedi

1) Who is Rajat Bedi best known as?

He’s best known to mass audiences as Raj Saxena, the bully antagonist in Koi… Mil Gaya (2003). That role became a cultural reference point for his on-screen persona in the 2000s.

2) Is he active again?

Yes. In 2025, he returned to the spotlight in Aryan Khan’s Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. Media coverage and interviews indicate strong responses to his performance and conversations about a second season.

3) What’s his background in modeling?

He won the first Gladrags Manhunt India in 1994 (Mr. India) and placed at Manhunt International. This gave him a strong runway and camera presence that carried into acting.

4) How tall is Rajat Bedi?

Approximately 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m), which often influenced the tough, imposing roles he was offered.

5) Is he related to the famous writer Rajinder Singh Bedi?

Yes, Rajinder Singh Bedi is his grandfather. Rajat even produced the TV series Lajwanti (2015), adapted from his grandfather’s novel an intergenerational link between literature and television.

Conclusion

Rajat Bedi’s story is the long game of a working actor. He began in a family steeped in film and literature, learned the ropes on set, earned attention as a model, took the roles that came in the 2000s, and built a life outside India when the time felt right.

Now he’s back, visible on a major streaming platform, with his children standing nearby on the same carpets and sometimes the same sets.

If the talk of Season 2 pans out, audiences will likely see even more of him this time in a space that welcomes the very experience and poise he’s gathered across three decades.

Also Read: Bobby Deol’s Bio, Age, Family, Movies, Career, Net Worth & More

  1. starsunfolded
  2. indianexpress
  3. starsunfolded
  4. en.wikipedia.org
  5. indiatimes
  6. newindianexpress
  7. timesofindia.indiatimes
  8. ndtv
  9. hindustantimes
Kankana Biswas
Kankana Biswas

I'm a strategic journalism graduate with expertise on socio-political issues, business, and finance. I'm a self-made entrepreneur, and have contributed to various news/media outlets since 2015. I also received degree of journalism from the Delhi College of Arts and Commerce.

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