Rushad Rana Wiki, Bio, Wife, Family, TV Serials and Net Worth

Rushad Rana is an Indian actor best known for his steady presence across Hindi television and films

Viewers first noticed him as Raghav in the youth show Hip Hip Hurray, and he has stayed relevant with parts in popular daily soaps and key supporting roles in Bollywood films.

Over more than two decades, he has built a reputation for reliability, range, and warmth on screen. Fans of Anupamaa know him as Anirudh Gandhi.

Cinegoers remember him from classics like Mohabbatein, Veer-Zaara, Dor, and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. He has also worked in newer releases and web projects, showing that his career is an ongoing story rather than a nostalgia act.

This biography is about his early life and education, a clear timeline of his career, film and TV highlights, personal milestones, and a quick stats table for fast facts.

Also Read: Nora Fatehi Bio, Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth and More

Rushad Rana’s Biography

Early Life and Education

Rushad Rana was born on 19 November 1979 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in a Parsi family. Growing up in Mumbai placed him at the center of India’s entertainment industry, but his path was not instant.

He acted in school plays, took part in cultural events, and developed a habit of going to the theater to watch films on his own. These early experiences shaped his taste and confidence.¹

Many public profiles mention that he studied at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai before moving fully into acting. This detail appears in talent listings and fan-facing portals and fits the timeline of a late-90s debut.

While college rosters are private, the consistency of this reference across profiles suggests formal higher education before work.

Before a dream is born, a million people are ready to oppose it…

— Rushad Rana (@rushad_rana19) November 16, 2011

Quick Stats

Starting Out: Hip Hip Hurray and the Late-90s Moment

Rana’s first big break came with the teen-centric show Hip Hip Hurray on Zee TV, where he played Raghav.

The series became a touchstone for a generation, and it gave many young actors a platform to grow. For Rana, Raghav became the role people still bring up when they meet him.

In later interviews, he has called it his most memorable part, as it kept his name alive with viewers who grew up with the show and never stopped rooting for him. ²

That late-90s wave of fresher youth programming did more than entertain. It widened the range of casting for film and TV.

When studios looked for relatable faces to place around larger-than-life leads, actors like Rana were ready. The result was a steady flow of film opportunities through the 2000s.

Film Debut and Early Bollywood Roles

Rushad Rana made his feature film debut in Mohabbatein (2000), one of the biggest romantic dramas of its time.

He appeared as one of the Gurukul students in Aditya Chopra’s ensemble.

The film’s success put his face in front of huge audiences. After that, he booked roles in Veer-Zaara (2004), Sarkar (2005), and the acclaimed Dor (2006), where he played Amir Khan (not the star Aamir Khan, but a character with a similar sounding name).

He remained active across the decade, with credits in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), 8×10 Tasveer (2009), and other titles.

These parts were often supporting, but they kept him within strong directorial setups and big-ticket banners. ³

A key thing about these early films is consistency. Many actors appear once or twice and fade. Rana kept working in credible projects, across different filmmakers and genres. This persistence is part of his story.

The Television Backbone

While films gave him visibility, television built his brand. He continued to feature in serials that Indian households watched every evening. Over the years, he appeared in shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Sasural Simar Ka, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, and Kehta Hai Dil.

These roles ranged from positive parts to grey shades, which allowed him to show an arc rather than a single note.

This dual track films for reach and TV for recall helped him stay familiar to both urban multiplex audiences and family viewers. It also made him adaptable when the web era began.

Anupamaa and a Second Wave of Popularity

In August 2020, Rushad Rana joined Anupamaa, one of Indian TV’s highest-rated shows. He played Anirudh Gandhi, who is connected to Kavya, a central figure in the story.

The part positioned him inside a prime-time juggernaut, and he used the exposure well. He also spoke candidly at the time about returning stronger after a difficult personal phase.

He praised the team and the producer, and later addressed rumors in the press with balance and grace. ⁴

Anupamaa mattered for him for two reasons. First, the show’s popularity meant fresh audiences discovered him every week.

Second, it led to a personal milestone: he met creative director Ketaki Walawalkar on the show, and their story progressed from professional acquaintance to friendship and then marriage.

Web and New-Age Work

As Indian entertainment moved online, Rana added web titles and streaming anthologies to his credits.

Profiles list Modern Love Mumbai among recent works, and he has also turned up in crime and drama shows that fit the binge-watching era.

The shift to OTT has opened space for character actors who can land emotional beats with minimal screen time, and Rana’s TV upbringing gives him timing and discipline in these formats.

Also Read: Helen Ann Richardson Bio: From Burma to Bollywood Legend

Recent and Upcoming Films

Beyond television, the actor has kept a foot in films, often in key supporting parts. Industry listings show recent releases and line-ups, including Ulajh (2024) and other titles across 2023–2025.

These schedules change, but the overall picture is clear: Rana remains active on sets and continues to sign contemporary projects that mix mainstream and mid-budget storytelling.⁵

Personal Life

Rushad Rana’s personal life has had both hard chapters and happy turns. He married in 2010, but that relationship ended in 2013.

He later shared that there were compatibility issues and that his profession was not accepted by his former in-laws.

Those candid interviews helped many fans understand the person behind the performer, and they also showed his trust in family support during rough patches.

A decade later, he found love again. On 4 January 2023, he married Ketaki Walawalkar in Mumbai. Ketaki is a creative director who has worked on Anupamaa and other shows.

Their wedding and reception were covered by mainstream media, and colleagues from the industry attended. The couple also shared moments on social media. It was a simple, happy ceremony that felt true to their journey.⁶

Acting Style and On-Screen Presence

Rana’s presence is understated. He tends to ground a scene rather than steal it. This works especially well in ensemble TV, where scenes often hinge on reaction shots and dialogue timing.

He plays supportive friends, earnest husbands, and occasionally flawed men who must learn to do better. In films, he often appears as a colleague, a family member, or a figure who adds texture to the main storyline.

Directors cast him because he is dependable. He can hold the frame without theatrics.

He takes direction well and fits within the tone of the project, whether it is a glossy Yash Raj romance, an intense drama like Dor, or a high-emotion daily soap. The result is a body of work that is easy to underrate yet hard to replace.

Selected Filmography

• Mohabbatein (2000) – Debut feature; Gurukul student in a blockbuster ensemble.

• Veer-Zaara (2004) – Romantic drama with cross-border themes.

• Sarkar (2005) – Political-crime drama space.

• Dor (2006) – Critically acclaimed drama; character role that fans still remember.

• Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) – Another major YRF romance.

• Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), Calendar Girls (2015), Maatr (2017), Rangoon (2017) – A run of 2010s titles across genres.

• Ulajh (2024) – Recent listing in theatrical slate.

Selected Television and Web Credits

• Hip Hip Hurray (Zee TV) – Breakthrough as Raghav.

• Kumkum Bhagya – Daily soap with high reach.

• Sasural Simar Ka – Family drama space.

• Bade Achhe Lagte Hain – Popular relationship saga.

• Anupamaa – Significant 2020s role as Anirudh Gandhi.

• Modern Love Mumbai (segment; OTT) – Streaming anthology presence.

Awards and Recognition

Rana’s career story is not centered on trophies. Instead, it is about steady work and audience recall. He is the kind of actor whose scenes stay in memory even when awards season moves on.

His recognition comes from industry trust and the affection of viewers who grew up with his TV roles and now watch him with their families.

Off-Screen Interests and Public Persona

Interviews and posts show a calm, grounded person who values family, longtime friends, and the colleagues who stood by him.

He engages with fans on Instagram, shares throwbacks from Hip Hip Hurray, and posts updates from sets and events.

He is open about setbacks and second chances, which has helped many fans connect with him as a person, not just a performer.

Career Timeline

• 1998–1999: Hip Hip Hurray introduces him as Raghav and sets his TV identity.

• 2000–2008: Bollywood supporting roles in large-scale films, leading to a dependable filmography.

• 2010s: Runs through popular daily soaps and feature films across genres; cements TV presence.

• 2020: Joins Anupamaa; a wave of renewed visibility.

• 2023: Marries Ketaki Walawalkar.

• 2024–2025: Credits include Ulajh and other listed projects; continues balancing TV, film, and OTT.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ishita Ganguly (@ishita.gangopadhyay2012)

FAQ’s

1) What is Rushad Rana’s date of birth and current age?

He was born on 19 November 1979 in Mumbai. As of 8 November 2025, he is 45 years old and turns 46 on 19 November 2025.

2) Where is he from and what is his community background?

He is from Mumbai, Maharashtra, and comes from a Parsi family.

3) What are his height and basic physical stats?

His official site lists his height at 5 ft 10 in (approx.) along with standard profile details.

4) What was his first big TV role?

He broke out as Raghav in Hip Hip Hurray on Zee TV in the late 1990s. Many fans still identify him with that role.

5) What was his film debut?

He made his film debut in Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein (2000), appearing as one of the Gurukul students.

Conclusion

Rushad Rana’s career is a case study in staying power. He entered the industry during a pivotal moment for youth television, shifted smoothly into film ensembles, and then settled into a rhythm that balances daily soaps, OTT, and periodic film roles.

His journey also shows resilience in personal life and grace in public.

For viewers who want dependable performances with a familiar face, Rushad Rana delivers.

Also Read: Kim Sharma Bio, Career, Movies, Family, Relationships and More

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. starsunfolded
3. in.bookmyshow
4. timesofindia.indiatimes
5. bollywoodhungama
6. timesofindia.indiatimes