Last week, Rahul Roy addressed speculation surrounding his financial situation following online rumors suggesting that the once-popular 1990s actor had been abandoned by his family and was struggling to find work. He revealed that he had been waiting for opportunities in the Hindi film industry but ultimately decided to take initiative when no offers materialized.
Rahul’s most recent role was in the psychological thriller “Agra,” directed by Kanu Behl, which was released last year after premiering at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The film faced a lengthy path to its theatrical debut in India and is now available for streaming on Prime Video India. Kanu shared insights in an exclusive interview with SCREEN regarding how he and Rahul ended up collaborating.
“We recognized that we needed a recognizable face among the seven main characters, as the others were relatively unknown,” Kanu stated. “Agra featured newcomer Mohit Agarwal in the lead role of Guru, alongside Ruhani Sharma, Priyanka Bose, Devas Dikshit, Vibha Chibber, and Rahul Roy, who portrayed the character Daddy ji, the father of the protagonist.”
Kanu noted that while Ruhani is a well-known star in South India, she was just beginning her career at that time. “I felt we needed something extra, so we approached various individuals, including Rahul, who was interested in exploring new avenues in his career,” he recounted. Despite initial uncertainty about the casting, Kanu conducted three months of workshops with potential actors for all seven key roles, including Daddy ji, before finalizing the cast midway through the process.
“For someone with Rahul Roy’s impressive background to come in every morning at 9 a.m. and be the last to leave around 10 or 10:30 p.m. was truly inspiring,” Kanu remarked. He recalled a memorable evening when it was just the two of them left at the workshop, sharing tea together. It was during this time that Rahul unexpectedly declared, ‘You know what? I’ll only do this film. No one else will. I’m telling you right now.’
“That statement solidified my decision because his passion and commitment were evident, making him the right choice,” Kanu added with a smile. “He essentially cast himself.”
In addition to Rahul’s strong dedication, Kanu believed that the character of Daddy ji resonated with Rahul’s own life experiences. Although Rahul gained fame as a leading actor in Mahesh Bhatt’s 1990 romantic drama “Aashiqui,” he struggled to replicate that success in subsequent years. While he remained active in the film industry during the 1990s, opportunities diminished as the new millennium approached.
Rahul experienced a brief resurgence after winning the inaugural season of the reality show “Bigg Boss” in 2007, but he failed to maintain a significant presence in cinema. Following a special appearance in the 2019 film “Cabaret,” produced by Pooja Bhatt, he suffered a brain stroke in 2020 that permanently affected his speech. His return in “Agra” did not yield the expected results, and he has since taken on smaller gigs, including performing his popular song “Ek Sanam Chahiye Aashiqui Ke Liye” at a wedding in Bihar last year.
In a statement made last Sunday, Rahul sought to dispel rumors regarding his financial state and allegations of family abandonment. “I live with my sister in a beautiful house in Madh, and I am deeply cherished by her, which makes me the luckiest brother in the world. I have clothes, shoes, food, and a car; I am not abandoned. The videos circulating online are false. My sister, Hari Maa, and my brother-in-law, Romeer Sen, have supported me completely. Please respect their privacy; they are my only family,” he wrote on Instagram.
Additionally, Rahul clarified his personal choices regarding security and travel. “I don’t use bodyguards; that’s my decision. If I occasionally take autorickshaws, it’s simply more convenient for me. The social media reels I made were straightforward, not intended for financial gain. I believe in working for a living; that’s my choice. I waited for significant work to come my way, but it hasn’t. I cannot afford to be idle, and I also have personal legal matters to attend to,” he explained.
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