Dhurandhar actor Rakesh Bedi exited IIT exam halfway for theatre rehearsal
A bold choice over conventional success
Bedi’s journey was particularly notable for its unusual beginning. Raised in Karol Bagh, Delhi, and educated at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Andrews Ganges, he followed the traditional middle-class path, initially aiming to clear the IIT entrance exam.
However, during the exam, Bedi reportedly answered only 7 out of 39 questions before leaving midway to attend a theater rehearsal. The decision became a turning point as he chose his passion for acting instead of a stable career path.
Referring to his initial difficulties in an interview, Bedi said, “Even though the rewards were slow, I trusted the process,” highlighting the financial difficulties he faced in the early years.
Debut moment in Dhurandhar series
In Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2, Bedi played the scheming politician Jameel Jamali and was praised for his comic timing and sharp one-liners. Her portrayal resonated with audiences and helped her gain a new fan base in the age of social media-driven fame.
The recent rise in popularity has also been reflected in brand endorsements and public demonstrations; this includes Anu Ranjan walking the ramp alongside Rakesh Roshan at the Beti Charity Walk 2026 in Mumbai.
Training and rise in acting career
Bedi joined the Film and Television Institute of India to hone his skills. Over the years he has built up a diverse body of work, spanning over 150 films and numerous television roles, and has slowly become a household name.
Extensive work in film and television
Bedi has had a long and successful television career; Shrimaan Shrimati, Yeh Duniya Ghazab Ki, Sumit Sambhal Lega, Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! and Sahib Biwi Aur Boss.
His film work includes important productions such as Chashme Buddoor, Anand Aur Anand, Betaaj Badshah and Bewafa Sanam.
While Bedi has long been a familiar face in the Indian entertainment world, the success of the Dhurandhar series has propelled him to a new phase of recognition, with attention on social media and increased audience interest in veteran artistes.
Rakesh Bedi and Sara Tendulkar’s kissing controversy
Rakesh Bedi had entered into a controversy during the promotions of Dhurandhar 2 when a viral clip from an event sparked a debate on social media. During the event, Bedi was seen greeting his co-star Sara Arjun on stage. A short video of the moment went viral, sparking criticism, with some users claiming it looked like the 71-year-old actor had kissed the 20-year-old actor’s shoulder.
In the film directed by Aditya Dhar, Bedi plays the role of politician Jameel Jamali, while Sara Arjun plays the role of his daughter Yalina Jamali.
Responding to the reactions in his interview on the Red FM podcast, Bedi said that the moment was misinterpreted and described his gesture as a fatherly one. He said: “Ek chota sa incident hai. Woh meri bacchi hai Dhurandhar mein jo ladki mera my daughter kar rahi hai plays Sara Arjun. Maine uske Saath kitna kaam kiya hai film mein, toh woh jitni baar bhi aayi, main usko gale milke maathe pe kiss kiya, like a daughter. Aur yeh ek actor ka farz bhi hota hai, senior actor ka, ki yeh chhoti si bacchi thoda sa Rahat kar doon main… beta sab theek was like hai, how are you?
(It was a small incident. She plays my daughter in Dhurandhar – Sara Arjun. I worked closely with her in the film and whenever she came, I would hug her and kiss her on the forehead like a daughter. It is also the responsibility of a senior actor to make a young actor feel comfortable. It was like saying, ‘Son, everything is fine, how are you?’)
He further added, “Woh trailer launch pe woh ladki jab stage pe aayi, main usko aise hi kiss kiya aur logon ne kitna likha uske baare mein ki Rakesh Bedi kiss kar raha hai. Arey bhai, main usko hamesha hi aisa karta hoon. Balki logon ne jawab diya baad mein ki aap Rakesh ji ke baare mein aisa nahi bol sakte.”
(Also, “At the trailer launch, when she came on stage, I greeted her the same way and people wrote so many things saying Rakesh Bedi kissed her. I always greet her like that. Even later, many people responded saying, “You can’t talk about Rakesh ji like that.”)
Commenting on the public reaction, Bedi said, “Logon ko toh kuch bahana chahiye, cheez chahiye bolne ke liye. Kiske baare mein log nahi bolte… kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna.”
(Commenting on the public reaction, he said: “People always need something to talk about. Who don’t people talk about? People say something or do something; that’s what they do.”)
