Rajat Bedi Accuses Mukesh Khanna of Twisting His Words About Rakesh Roshan for Publicity

Bollywood actor Rajat Bedi, currently basking in the success of his role in Aryan Khan’s Netflix series The Ba*ds of Bollywood, has publicly called out veteran actor Mukesh Khanna for allegedly misrepresenting his comments about director Rakesh Roshan. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Bedi addressed a 2023 conversation with Khanna, where he had expressed disappointment over his limited role in Koi Mil Gaya’s promotions. Bedi clarified that his words were taken out of context to “generate views,” accusing Khanna of falsely suggesting a fallout with Roshan, a claim he vehemently denies. The controversy has sparked heated discussions on X, with fans divided over the ethics of using sensationalism for publicity.

Bedi, known for his menacing portrayal of Raj Saxena in Koi Mil Gaya (2003), emphasized his strong bond with Roshan, describing him as a “most helpful director” who would personally enact scenes to guide actors. “I share a good bond with Rakesh Roshan sir. He’s an actor-director who explains scenes brilliantly,” Bedi said, refuting Khanna’s narrative that he moved to Canada after being sidelined in the film’s promotions.

Bedi revealed he was with Roshan just a week before Khanna’s 2023 interview, which claimed Bedi’s Canada move stemmed from professional neglect. In reality, Bedi’s relocation was driven by financial struggles, as he explained in earlier interviews: despite fame from multi-starrer films, bounced cheques and lack of monetary stability prompted his move. “I was getting films, I was getting fame, but I had to run a household,” he noted, highlighting the disparity between his on-screen success and financial reality.

In the 2023 interview with Khanna, Bedi had shared that several of his scenes with Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta were cut from Koi Mil Gaya’s final edit, and he felt “terrible” about being excluded from its promotional campaign. However, he now insists these remarks were not meant to criticize Roshan but were exaggerated by Khanna for clickbait. Bedi’s recent role as Jaraj Saxena, a faded actor seeking relevance in The Ba*ds of Bollywood, has earned him critical acclaim, marking a career resurgence.

The series, released on September 18, showcases his ability to portray complex characters, drawing parallels to his own journey of navigating Bollywood’s highs and lows. With over 40 films, including Rakht (2004) and Rocky - The Rebel (2006), and TV stints in Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Aahat, Bedi’s career spans diverse roles since his 1998 debut in 2001: Do Hazaar Ek.

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The controversy underscores broader issues of media ethics in Bollywood, where sensationalized narratives can distort personal accounts for viewership. Bedi’s outspoken response aligns with his candid persona, as seen in his reflections on financial struggles despite rubbing shoulders with high-society friends running multi-crore companies.

As The Ba*ds continues to trend, with fans on X praising Bedi’s “raw intensity,” his clarification aims to set the record straight, reaffirming his respect for Roshan and his commitment to his craft. With upcoming projects hinted at in industry circles, Bedi’s resurgence signals a new chapter for the versatile actor, undeterred by past misrepresentations.

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