Created by MarnetteD
Last edited July 1, 2022


Raqesh Bapat
Raqesh in 2018
Born (1978-09-01) 1 September 1978 (age 47)[1]
Occupation
  • Actor
  • model
Years active1999–present
Spouse(s)
(
m. 2011; div. 2020)

Raqesh Bapat, known also as Rakesh Vashisht, is an Indian actor and model. He is known for his work in films like Tum Bin (2001), Vrundavan (2016), Savita Damodar Paranjape (2018) and television shows like Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar (2005-2008), Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? (2010-2012) and Qubool Hai (2014).

He has also worked in television commercials for Wrigley's gum and Colgate.[2] He was ranked sixteenth in The Times of India's Top 20 Most Desirable Men of Maharashtra in 2017.[3]

Early life and background

Raqesh Bapat was born on 1 September 1978 in Amravati. He claims to have won the National Award at the junior level for his painting.[4][better source needed]

Career

Bollywood, 2001 - 2005

He was given his first role, Amar Shah in the movie Tum Bin (2001), after the director's wife noticed him in a toothpaste ad and recommended him to her husband.[5] He next played a forgettable Guarav in Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002).[6] He then appeared in the one-star suspense thriller Tumse Milke Wrong Number (2003) directed by Jignesh M. Vaishnav,[7] in the "mind numbing" Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya (2004) directed by Rajesh Bhatt,[8] in the box office "disaster"[9] Naam Gum Jaayega, a romantic drama written and directed by Amol Shetge,[10] and in the critically panned Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai (2005) directed by Deepak Ramsay.[11]

Television, 2005 - 2012

Bapat began his television career in 2005 with Sphere Origins Hindi television drama Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar from 2005 to 2008. He got nominated for Indian Telly Awards for Best Actor in a Negative Role.

Bapat appeared in 2 films in 2006. 'Jai Santoshi Maa' directed by Ahmed Siddiqui which also starred Nushrat Bharucha in the lead role and 'Jaadu Sa Chal Gaya' directed by Dev Basu.[12]

In 2008, Bapat played the role of Anuj, in a show presented by Hats Off Productions, aired on NDTV Imagine 's Ek Packet Umeed. The show depicted the tale of all genres of women living under one roof and Raqesh playing the sole male seen in the serial. The show won award for 'Best Weekly Programme' at The Indian Telly Awards.[13]


In 2010, Bapat appeared in a show Seven- The Ashvamedha Prophecy an Indian supernatural television series that aired on Sony Entertainment Television. The series was produced by Yash Chopra. He played the role of Shlok, the male Guardian of Seven. 'Seven', was the story of the search for the seven descendants and their journey of discovering their real capabilities. The show had won 3 Telly awards and 1 ITA award. .[14]

From 2010 to 2012, he played the male protagonist Aditya Singh Jakhar in Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? 'Indian television drama on STAR Plus. Maryada revolves around the lives of four women of the Jhaakar family and the darker realities of their relationships. The show gained a lot of popularity. The series is also remembered as the first show on Indian Television to have a homosexual story line.[15]

In 2011, he replaced Gautam Rode to play the role of Karan in Simplly Sapney an Indian television drama series that aired on Zee Next based on the lives of four girls who come to work at a Hotel Tropical Paradise and how their lives get change.[16]

2012 - present

Bapat made a comeback in films after 6 years in 2012, with 2 releases. A Hindi and A Marathi film. He starred in Heroine, drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Madhur Bhandarkar.[17]

He then made his Marathi film debut with film, 'Aayna ka Bayna', a dance film directed by Samit Kakkad. The film also starred Sachin Khedekar and Amruta Khanvilkar.[18]

Bapat also appeared in Hongey Judaa Na Hum a television drama series and premiered on Sony Entertainment Television India. He played a lead of Rohan Mishra opposite Aamna Sharif.

In 2013, he took part in Nach Baliye 6, a dance, reality-television series that airs on Star Plus with then wife Ridhi Dogra. The show is a competition where in 10 television celebrity couples compete against each other.[19]

In the same year he appeared in 2 films, Gippi, a Hindi teen film, directed by Sonam Nair and produced by Karan Johar, where he played the role of a Chemistry teacher .[20] and A New Love Ishtory a comedy drama film directed by John Matthew Matthan.[21]

He replaced Karan Singh Grover in the lead role of Asad Ahmed Khan on Qubool Hai, which was produced by 4 Lions Films and broadcast on Zee TV in January 2014. He did not continue with that series when it made a time leap in early 2014.[22]

He appeared in 'Citizen' (2015) a Marathi film, along with Rajshree Landge, Yatin Karyekar, Pushkar Shrotri, Uday Tikekar.[23]

In 2016, he played the lead roles in 2 Marathi films. 'Vrundavan', the film which also starred many senior and celebrated actors from the Marathi film industry; Mahesh Manjrekar, Ashok Saraf, Mohan Joshi, Sharad Ponkshe, Uday Tikekar.[24] and 'Sarv Mangal Savdhan' a romantic comedy directed by Rahil Khan, in which he appeared along with actress Manjari Fadnis.[25]

In the same year he replaced Karan Grover in the lead role of Shantanu Kant a scientist in Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant (2016-2017), one of the popular fantasy drama family show on Life OK. The show also airs on MBC 2 (Mauritius).[26]

He starred in the 'Savita Damodar Paranjpe' in 2018. The film is a Marathi psychological thriller based on the famous 1985's Shekhar Tamhane directorial drama of the same name. The film was very well received at the 11th edition of the Goa Marathi Film Festival. The audience gave a standing ovation to the film during its screening. It also went on to screen on Netflix.[27]

He also appeared in Tu Aashiqui (2018) which aired on Colors TV. The show was a musical drama romance television show based on two lovers' efforts to unite. He played the role of Reyansh Diwan who made an entry in Pankti's life as the influential and charming businessman.[28]

He played the lead role in 2 Marathi films in 2019. 'WhatsApp Love' along with actress Anuja Sathe, the film directed by Hemant Kumar Mahale.[29]

And Raja in 'Mumbai Apli Ahe' (2019) a film directed by Bharat Sunanda, set in the Mumbai of the 90s and revolves around Raja who starts as small criminal grows up to become a notorious don in the city.

Raqesh also starred in 'Forever' (2019), a Romantic thriller film directed by Vinay Tiwari along with Nisha Aliya.[30]

In the 2021 Bapat can be seen in the controversial reality show Bigg Boss OTT (15th season).

Awards and nominations

  • Grasim 'Mr. India' -1999- First Runner Up [31]
  • 'Mr. International'- First Runner Up [32]

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Language Ref(s)
2001 Tum Bin Amar Shah Hindi [33]
2002 Dil Vil Pyar Vyar Gaurav [34]
Kuch Dil Ne Kaha
2003 Tumse Milke Wrong Number Raj [35]
2004 Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya Sunny Khanna [36]
2005 Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai Sameer [37]
Naam Gum Jaayega Vishal Saxena [38]
2006 Jai Maa Santoshi Anuraag [39]
Jaadu Sa Chal Gaya Rahul [40]
2012 Heroine Sameer Khan [41]
Aayna Ka Bayna Saagar Marathi
2013 Gippi Chemistry teacher Hindi [42][43]
A New Love Ishtory Prince Vikram
2015 Citizen Marathi
2016 Vrundavan Krish [44]
Sarv Mangal Savdhan [45]
2018 Savita Damodar Paranjpe Ashok
2019 WhatsApp Love Aditya
Mumbai Apli Ahe Raja
Forever [46]

Television

Year Title Role Ref(s)
2005–2008 Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar Neel / Neerav
2008 Ek Packet Umeed Anuj
2010 Seven Shlok
2010–2012 Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? Aditya Jakhar
2011 Simplly Sapney Karan
2012–2013 Honge Judaa Naa Hum Rohan Mishra [47]
2013 Nach Baliye 6 Contestant
2014 Qubool Hai Asad Ahmed Khan [48]
Simply Baatein With Raveena Guest
2016 Yeh Hai Aashiqui Himself
2016–2017 Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant Anthony Gonzalves / Shantanu Kant
2018 Tu Aashiqui Reyansh Diwan [28]
Ishq Mein Marjawan Guest (in 1 hour special with Tu Aashiqui)
2021 Bigg Boss OTT Contestant [49]

References

  1. Arun Jaitley and Rakesh Vashisht[1][2][3][4]
  2. "Big boy on small screen". The Daily Telegraph - Calcutta. Calcutta. 22 May 2006. p. Metro. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  3. "Maharashtra's Most Desirable Men 2017". The Times of India. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  4. "Raqesh Vashisth: I express myself better with my brush". Rediff.
  5. "Big boy on small screen". www.telegraphindia.com.
  6. "Dil Vil Pyar Vyar - movie review by Rakesh Budhu". [I]t is surprising that Rakesh Bapat has little to no dialogues ... [He] has completely disappeared and his screen presence here is quite dull. Perhaps it is because his role is of little to no value
  7. "Tumse Milke - Wrong Number Cast & Crew, Tumse Milke - Wrong Number Hindi Movie Cast and Crew, Actor, Actress". FilmiBeat.
  8. Adarsh, Taran (12 December 2003). "Wrong Number Review 1/5 | Wrong Number Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama.
  9. "Naam Gum Jaayega - Movie". Box Office India.
  10. "Naam Gum Jaayega (2005) - Review, Star Cast, News, Photos". Cinestaan.
  11. "Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai (Hindi) Movie Review". fullhyd.com. Retrieved 26 September 2021. If you've ever wondered how highly a movie would suck if it featured only bad actors with sagging careers, here is your chance to find out.
  12. Hungama, Bollywood. "Jai Santoshi Maa Cast List | Jai Santoshi Maa Movie Star Cast | Release Date | Movie Trailer | Review- Bollywood Hungama".
  13. Khan, Shameem (11 December 2007). "Rakesh Bapat likes making faces". DNA India.
  14. "Seven Cast". India Forums.
  15. "Indian TV soap operas step out of the closet". DAWN.COM. 2 October 2011.
  16. "Rakesh Bapat replaces Gautam Rode in Simply Sapney". India Forums.
  17. "RaQesh Vashishth is Heroine's new hero - Times of India". The Times of India.
  18. "Aayna Ka Bayna". photogallery.indiatimes.com.
  19. "Nach Baliye 6 promo: Raqesh-Ridhi hike up the romance quotient - Watch video!". Bollywood Life. 16 October 2013.
  20. "Raqesh Vashisth in Gippy - Times of India". The Times of India.
  21. "A New Love Ishtory (2013) Cast - Actor, Actress, Director, Producer, Music Director". Cinestaan.
  22. "Raqesh Vashisth replaces Karan Singh Grover in 'Qubool Hai'". Deccan Chronicle. 28 December 2013.
  23. Editorial, M. M. W. (12 October 2015). "Citizen (सिटीझन)".
  24. "I am proud of Vrundavan: Raqesh Bapat". 14 March 2016.
  25. "Sarv Mangal Savdhan Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos | eTimes" – via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  26. "'Bahu Humari Rajni Kant': Raqesh Bapat Replaces Karan V. Grover". India West.
  27. "I am open to working in all mediums: Raqesh Bapat". Hindustan Times. 29 June 2018.
  28. 28.0 28.1 "Raqesh Bapat to join 'Tu Aashiqui' - Times of India". The Times of India.
  29. "Rakesh Bapat Archives |".
  30. "Director Vinay Ram Tiwari's romantic thriller 'Forever' set to release on Amazon this May".
  31. "Mr. India contest में रनर अप रह चुके राकेश वशिष्ठ आज मना रहें है अपना 39वां जन्मदिन". News Track. 1 September 2017.
  32. "'Chocolate Hero' Raqesh Bapat Explores His Spiritual Side".
  33. "Tum Bin(2001)". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  34. "Dil Vil Pyar Vyar Cast & Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  35. "Wrong Number Cast & Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  36. "Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  37. "Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai Cast & Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  38. "Naam Gum Jayega Cast&Crewcessdate=26 April 2012". Bollywood Hungama.
  39. "Jai Maa Santoshi Cast& Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  40. "Jaadu Sa Chal Gaya Cast&Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  41. Maheshwri, Neha (30 November 2011). "RaQesh Vashishth is Heroine's new hero". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  42. "Gippi Cast&Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  43. "Raqesh Vashisth in Gippy". The Times of India. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  44. "Amitraj composing music for 'Vrindavan' and 'Gentleman'". radioandmusic.com. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  45. "Manjari and Raqesh's re-arranged marriage". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  46. "Director Vinay Ram Tiwari's romantic thriller "FOREVER" with Rakesh Bapat & Nisha Aliya set to release on Amazon this 21 May".
  47. Sinha, Seema (16 May 2013). "There was no onscreen chemistry with Aamna: Raqesh Vashisth". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  48. Malini, Navya (8 December 2013). "Raqesh Vashisth steps into Karan Singh Grover's shoes". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  49. "Raqesh Bapat's Bigg Boss OTT journey: Of goodness, bonding with Shamita and no passion". The Indian Express. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.

External links

Template:Nach Baliye 6 Raqesh Bapat