Rajesh Kumar, beloved for his iconic role as Rosesh Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, has made a powerful comeback with Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara—a film that has not only shattered box office expectations but also marked a deeply emotional milestone for the veteran actor.
Grossing over ₹4 billion worldwide, Saiyaara is fast becoming one of 2025’s biggest hits.
In the film, Rajesh plays the father of Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a young journalist battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. His subtle, heart-wrenching performance has struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. But what many may not know is how personal the role was for him.
“My own mother is suffering from the same illness,” Rajesh shared in an interview with Zoom. “I didn’t have to act—I just had to feel. My father’s quiet strength inspired the silence in my character.” This emotional authenticity has been a standout element in Saiyaara, further solidifying the film’s place among 2025’s biggest hits.
But behind this resurgence lies a journey marked by hardship, resilience, and rediscovery.
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In 2019, Rajesh stepped away from acting to pursue farming—a bold move aimed at challenging the stigma that farming is only a fallback option. “Nobody dreams of becoming a farmer. I wanted to change that narrative,” he said. However, reality was harsh. Faced with failing crops and financial ruin, Rajesh found himself with just ₹2,500 in his bank account and debts amounting to ₹20 million.
“I remember being in the UK for a shoot and not being able to buy two chocolates for my kids. That was my lowest point,” he revealed to Dainik Bhaskar. The pandemic only worsened the situation, wiping out his savings and leaving him “literally bankrupt,” as he told Rajshri Unplugged.
Yet, through the pain came growth. “Farming broke me, but it also rebuilt me,” he said in another interview. “Now when I need to cry on camera, I think of the day my fields caught fire.”
It was his family that held him together. “They stood by me when I had nothing. That kind of support gives you strength you didn’t know you had,” he said, while continuing to advocate for viewing farming as a noble profession.
With Saiyaara’s success, Rajesh Kumar is not just making a comeback—he’s redefining it. The film, produced by YRF, stars newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, whose on-screen chemistry and compelling storyline have surprised even the harshest critics. Saiyaara follows Krish Kapoor, an aspiring singer, and Vaani Batra, a passionate journalist, whose love story is tested by fate.
