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{{short description|Indian actor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Raj Kiran
| image = File:Raj Kiran.jpg
| caption = Raj Kiran in the late 1970s
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|06|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Dominion of India|India]]
| disappeared_status = Found
| yearsactive = 1975–2002
| notable_works = ''[[Kaagaz Ki Nao]]'' ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]'' ''[[Baseraa]]'' ''[[Arth (film)|Arth]]'' ''[[Raaj Tilak]]'' ''[[Waaris (1988 film)|Waaris]]'' [[Ek Naya Rishta]]'' ''[[Hip Hip Hurray]]''
| spouse = Roopa Mahtani
| citizenship = [[India]]n
| occupation = [[Actor]]
| relatives = Rishika (daughter) Gobind Mahtani (brother)
 Ajit Mahtani (brother)
| website =
}}

'''Raj Kiran Mahtani''' (born 19 June 1949) is a former [[India]]n actor who is recognised for his work in [[Bollywood]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodmdb.com/celebrities/raj-kiran/7056|title=Raj Kiran – BollywoodMDB|website=bollywoodmdb.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/people/raj-kiran-2077|title=Raj Kiran movies, filmography, biography and songs – Cinestaan.com|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120707002141/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-01/news-interviews/29607832_1_raj-kiran-rishi-kapoor-film After Raj Kiran, we find the memories – Times Of India]. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1 June 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2013.</ref> Born in a [[Sindhi people|Sindhi]] family in Mumbai, he made his debut opposite [[Sarika]] in [[B. R. Ishara]]'s ''[[Kaagaz Ki Nao]]'' (1975) and achieved the crest of his career in the 1980s, having appeared in more than 100 films.<ref name=":1" />

Throughout his career, he accepted leading as well as supporting roles. He was loved for his leading roles in films such as ''[[Kaagaz Ki Nao]]'' (1975), ''[[Shikshaa]]'' (1979), ''Maan Abhiman'' (1980) and ''[[Ek Naya Rishta]]'' (1988) as well as being appreciated for his supporting roles in films such as ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]'' (1980), ''[[Baseraa]]'' (1981), ''[[Arth (film)|Arth]]'' (1982), ''[[Raaj Tilak]]'' (1984), and ''[[Waaris (1988 film)|Waaris]]'' (1988) to name a few. He was often typecasted as a romantic as well as kind-hearted hero.

He disappeared from the industry and was thought to be living as a recluse in the [[United States]] for many years. [[Rishi Kapoor]] was reportedly told by Gobind Mahtani, the brother of Raj Kiran that the actor was in [[Atlanta]] in an asylum where he was living due to a mental illness. In 2011, his daughter issued a public statement negating the reports of Raj Kiran being found in [[Atlanta]]. She and her family have been looking for him with the assistance of [[New York (state)|New York]] police and private detectives for years.

==Career==
Raj Kiran made his debut opposite [[Sarika]] in [[B. R. Ishara]]'s ''[[Kaagaz Ki Nao]]'' (1975)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://osianama.com/film-titles/kagaz-ki-nao-1975|title=Kagaz Ki Nao|last=User|first=Super|website=osianama.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref> and had the major flow in his career in the 1980s. In 1980, he hit the theatre with his successive eight releases – ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]'', ''Bambai Ka Maharaja'', ''Maan Abhiman'', ''Manokamnaa'', ''Nazrana Pyar Ka'', ''Patita'', ''Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki'' and ''Yeh Kaisa Insaaf''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gomolo.com/raj-kiran-movies-list-filmography/10969|title=Raj Kiran Filmography, Raj Kiran List of Movies on Gomolo.com|website=gomolo.com|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref>

Throughout his career, he accepted leading as well as supporting roles. He was loved for his leading roles in films such as ''[[Kaagaz Ki Nao]]'' (1975), ''[[Shikshaa]]'' (1979), ''Maan Abhiman'' (1980) and ''[[Ek Naya Rishta]]'' (1988) as well as appreciated for his supporting roles in films such as ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]'' (1980), ''[[Baseraa]]'' (1981), ''[[Arth (film)|Arth]]'' (1982) and ''[[Raaj Tilak]]'' (1984) to name a few.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bollykings.com/the-strange-tale-of-raj-kiran-lost-and-found/|title=The Strange Tale of Hindi Film Actor Raj Kiran – Lost and Found|date=2011-06-04|work=Bollykings|access-date=2018-01-29|language=en-US}}</ref>

He was often typecasted as a romantic as well as kind hearted hero which was considered as his most loved image by viewers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/bygone-stars-of-eighties/|title=Bygone Stars of Eighties|website=koimoi.com|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spotboye.com/amp/bollywood/news/actor-raj-kiran-still-missing-family-orders-rishi-kapoor-and-deepti-naval-to-back-off/5841a609bb9bc8e666bd236f|title=Actor Raj Kiran Still Missing! Family Orders Rishi Kapoor and Deepti Naval To Back Off!!|website=spotboye.com|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref> Sometimes his roles were apparently flawed but at the end they turned out to be generous. His role as Gopal in ''[[Justice Chaudhury]]'' (1983) abandons his wife to blackmail his father-in-law, but it is later revealed that he has been trapped into doing so.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/justice-chowdhury-5656|title=Justice Chowdhury (1983) – Cinestaan.com|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref> In his role as the womanizer and alcoholic businessman Rajiv Tandon in ''[[Ek Naya Rishta]]'' (1988) he falls in love with a sex worker and marries her.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/ek-naya-rishta-6446|title=Ek Naya Rishta (1988) – Cinestaan.com|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/raj-kiran-finds-friend-in-sushma-swaraj/20110601.htm|title=Raj Kiran finds a well-wisher in Sushma Swaraj|work=Rediff|access-date=2018-01-27}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://kindlemag.in/5-film-stars-burned-oblivion/|title=5 film stars who burned into oblivion|last=Khanna|first=Riddhima|date=2014-02-19|work=Kindle Magazine|access-date=2018-01-27|language=en-US}}</ref>

Since the beginning of 1990s, his career began to slow down. Further, he made his television debut in the [[Shekhar Suman]] starrer, much acclaimed TV series ''Reporter'' (1994).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.freeonlineindia.in/reporter-old-doordarshan-tv-serial/|title=Reporter (Old Doordarshan TV Serial)|date=2016-11-01|work=Free Online India|access-date=2018-01-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Disappearance==
Raj Kiran went into acute depression after his career had taken a backseat. Reportedly, the actor also went through a series of domestic crises. Later, he was admitted to Byculla Mental asylum in [[Mumbai]]. He disappeared from the industry and was thought to be living as a recluse in America for many years. [[Deepti Naval]] endeavoured to look for the missing actor through [[Facebook]] writing on her timeline, "Looking for a friend from the film world his name is Raj Kiran – we have no news of him – last heard he was driving a cab in NY city if anyone has any clue, please tell . . ."<ref name=":3" />
{{quote box
|author = – [[Rishi Kapoor]] on Raj Kiran’s disappearance<ref name=":2" />
|quote = "I’ve been wondering where Raj had disappeared. The question was haunting me for a very long time. Then these rumours of Raj being no more began doing the rounds. I was really disturbed. How can a colleague with whom I shared a really good times, just vanish from the face of earth? I decided to look up Raj’s elder brother Govind Mahtani to find out about Raj. I was so relieved when Govind told me that Raj was alive. But he was confined to an institution in Atlanta due to health problems. ... apparently, he looks after his own treatment by working within the institution. It’s a heart-rending situation for an actor who was so successful at one time".
|bgcolor = #CCDDFF
|align = right
|salign = right
|width = 16em
}}
In June, 2011, [[Rishi Kapoor]], on a trip to the [[United States]] made a phone call to the missing actor's brother Gobind Mahtani, who told him that the actor was in Atlanta in an asylum where he was living due to a mental illness. He refused to give any more details.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110607024343/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Rishi-to-help-Raj-Kiran-return-to-B-town/Article1-705294.aspx Rishi to help Raj Kiran return to B-town]. Hindustan Times (3 June 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/mahesh-bhatt-on-raj-kiran/20110606.htm 'Raj Kiran is okay wherever he is' – Rediff.com Movies]. Rediff.com (6 June 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2013.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110603080223/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/missing-actor-found-in-mental-asylum-in-us/156002-8-66.html Actor Raj Kiran found in mental asylum in US]. Ibnlive.in.com (1 June 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2013.</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Actor-Raj-Kiran-in-mental-asylum/articleshow/8660179.cms|title=Actor Raj Kiran in mental asylum – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-01-16}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://mdaily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-BOW-raj-kiran-mental-asylum-5566965-PHO.html?seq=1|title=This Famous 80s Bollywood Star Went From Being A Heartthrob to a Taxi Driver And Finally Has Ended Up in a Metal Asylum|date=2017-04-04|work=dailybhaskar|access-date=2018-01-27|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

In 2011, his daughter Rishika issued a public statement negating the reports of Raj Kiran being found in Atlanta. She and her family have been looking for him with the assistance of New York police and private detectives for years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/We-just-want-people-to-back-off-Raj-Kirans-daughter/articleshow/17645989.cms|title=We just want people to back off: Raj Kiran's daughter – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-01-28}}</ref><ref name="r1">[http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/my-dad-s-still-missing-raj-kiran-s-daughter-118527 My dad's still missing: Raj Kiran's daughter]. NDTV, 12 July 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320111122/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/my-dad-s-still-missing-raj-kiran-s-daughter-118527 |date=20 March 2013 }}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[Heera Panna]]''
* ''[[Pyaar Ka Mandir|Pyar Ka Mandir]]''
* ''[[Pyar Ka Devta]]''
* ''[[Ghar Ek Mandir (1984 film)|Ghar Ek Mandir]]''
* ''[[Bulundi]]''
* ''[[Chudail No. 1]]''
* ''[[Baseraa]]''
* ''[[Kaaran]]''
* ''[[Shikshaa]]''
* ''[[Akeli (film)|Akeli]]''
* ''[[Maan Abhimaan]]''
* ''[[Yeh Kaisa Insaf]]''
* ''[[Manokaamnaa]]''
* ''[[Bezubaan]]''
* ''[[Patita (1980 film)|Patita]]''
* ''[[Nakhuda (film)|Nakhuda]]''
* ''[[Arth (film)|Arth]]''
* ''[[Sun Meri Laila]]''
* ''[[Raaj Tilak (1984 film)|Raaj Tilak]]''
* ''[[Hip Hip Hurray (film)|Hip Hip Hurray]]''
* ''[[Arjun (1985 film)|Arjun]]''
* ''[[Ilzaam]]''
* ''[[Ek Naya Rishta]]''
* ''[[Waaris (1988 film)|Waaris]]''
* ''[[Ghar Ho To Aisa]]''
* ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]''
* ''[[Ghar Ka Sukh]]''
* ''[[Faasle]]''
* ''[[Aaj Ka Daur]]''
* ''[[Ek Hi Maqsad]]''
* ''[[Teri Meherbaniyan]]''
* ''[[Karz Chukana Hai]]''
* ''[[Goraa]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Waqt Ke Zanjeer]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Kissa Kursi Ka]]''
* ''[[Zakhmi Rooh]]''
* ''[[Ghar Dwaar]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Police Public]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Woh Din Aayenga]]'' – 1987
*''[[Mard Ki Zabaan]]'' – 1987
* ''[[Waaris (1988 film)|Waaris]] '' (1988)
* ''[[Kagaz ki Nao]]'' (1975) First movie of Raj Kiran Heera Panna as police officer
* ''[[Manu The Great]]'' (1987)
* [[Arth (film)|Arth]] (1982) of Mahesh Bhatt.
* ''[[Star (1982 film)|Star]] (1982)
* ''[[Khara Khota]]'' (1981) along with actress Sarika...
{{div col end}}

==Television==
* ''Reporter'' (1994)
* ''Aakhir Kaun'' (1996)
* ''[[Aahat]]'' (1997–98)
*[[List of people who disappeared mysteriously: post-1970|List of people who disappeared]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0456093|name=Raj Kiran }}
* [http://www.ndtv.com/album/listing/entertainment/raj-kiran-s-heart-breaking-story-10593/slide/1 NDTV on Raj Kiran]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiran, Raj}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:2000s missing person cases]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:American people of Sindhi descent]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Missing people]]
[[Category:Missing person cases in India]]
[[Category:Sindhi people]]

Raj Kiran (actor) - Revision history

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