Raqesh Bapat who’s known for films like Dil Vil Pyar Vyar and Heroine, along with TV shows Saat Phere, Seven, Maryada, Qubool Hai, Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant and Tu Aashiqui, turns 43 today. Although, his most loved project remains his debut film Tum Bin, which completed 20 years in July this year.
Raqesh is currently locked up inside the Bigg Boss OTT and is paired with Shamita Shetty as a connection. Their budding love has been catching eyeballs and now and then they make headlines. Raqesh, who’s also an artist and a sculptor, has opened up about his Tum Bin days before entering Bigg Boss.
The actor said it was the day when he had called his entire family and parents from Pune for the screening of Tum Bin at Adlabs in Filmcity. “On the same day – July 13, 2001, Aks had released and that screening was happening before us. So we were waiting in the parking lot. Suddenly I see Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, everyone stepping out. Jaya Ji saw me from far away and came to me and said, “You’re that Bapat boy right? I’m so proud to meet you, you’re so promising. I keep telling Abhishek to look out for you.” Refugee had been released a while back. She called Abhishek and he hugged me and said “Dude, every time your promo comes, my mom calls me and says lookout for this guy, he’s your competition,” Raqesh said.
He further added that Jaya Bachchan also introduced Amitabh Bachchan to him, who met him warmly, which gave validation to his parents that Raqesh had made a name for himself in the film industry. “Suddenly I was in front of such legends and I didn’t know what to say. Mr Bachchan said Tum Bin looks like a good film. My entire family was in awe seeing the Bachchans in person. My parents almost fainted I think (laughs). My father was against me taking up this profession. He wanted me to get a job. But this instance changed their entire outlook towards what I was doing. These are the validation you get for the work you do,” he shared.
It would be interesting to see what Raqesh has in the box for us inside the BB house and also, how long will he walk. Stay tuned to ‘The India Chron’ for more such updates from the entertainment world and around.