Rahul Roy

Acting career

Rahul began his acting career in the 1990 film Aashiqui, a Mahesh Bhatt production as the lead actor with newcomer Anu Agarwal. It was a hit and made him a popular actor.

He appeared opposite Karishma Kapoor in Sudhakar Bokade's romantic film Sapne Sajan Ke (1992).

Roy delivered a notable performance in Mahesh Bhatt's autobiographical Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee, in which Roy's character was based on the filmmaker. The film was Zee TV's first mainstream production and was based on Bhatt's love story with the late actress Parveen Babi. The movie had strong performances from the lead pair, Rahul Roy and Pooja Bhatt, with music by Anu Malik.

Rahul Roy featured in Bhatt's production Jaanam, which was Vikram Bhatt's directorial debut. Rahul Roy was amongst the first actors setting up the long hair stylo in Bollywood.

During the early 1990s Roy worked in several romantic films that did not do well, although his performances in Majhdhaar, Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare and Pyar Ka Saaya were liked.

His best film performance was considered to be Junoon, in which he turned into a tiger at night. He was definitely not nominated for the Best Actor at the 1992 Filmfare Awards.

In the late 1990s, Roy played parts as a supporting actor in hit movies since his films as a lead actor had flopped. New film offers diminished and few films that he had signed after Aashiqui were being shelved. A promising project like K. Balchander's Dilon Ka Rishta never saw the light due to the death of producer R. C. Prakash; another important project, Ayudh, was hit by the director's untimely death. Among other films shelved were Premabhishek, Tune Mera Dil Le Liya with Raveena Tandon, N. R. Pachisia's Dil Diya Chori Chori with Karishma Kapoor, Mahesh Bhatt's Kalyug, Harry Baweja's Vajra with Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shirodkar and Jab Jab Dil Mile with Karishma Kapoor and Naghma. Roy was to play the male lead in Mahesh Bhatt's Khilona, the Bollywood remake of the Kevin Costner thriller Revenge, but that was shelved as well.

During the mid-1990s Sudhakar Bokade, producer of Saajan, who had earlier worked with Roy in Sapne Sajan Ke, decided to produce Mera Juta Hai Japani. Roy was due to make his directorial debut with the movie, for which Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff were signed. However, Bokade could not raise the money to complete the film. Roy also made Phir Kabhi with director Balwant Dullat, and he delivered a fine villainous performance in Dharma Karma, which also featured veteran actors Dharmendra and Jeetendra.

Roy did not appear in films for several years. He returned to acting after four years in Meri Aashiqui (2005), in which he played the lead. His most recent films are the comedy Naughty Boy (2006) and Rafta Rafta, in which he portrayed the role of an underworld Don. He also appeared on the Television program Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Celebrity Big Brother in 2006. He won the game show by public votes on 26 January 2007.

Rahul Roy has ventured into movie production. His company, Rahul Roy Productions, released its first movie, entitled Elaan, on 25 November 2011 in Bihar. The film starred Roy and Rituparna Sen as the main leads.

Year 2015 marks the return of Rahul Roy in Indian mainstream cinema. He portrayed the male lead in psychological the thriller To B or Not to B. He played a negative role in the psychological thriller tentatively titled 100 crore. Roy has been quoted as saying that his role is reminiscent to the one he portrayed in Junoon, which is regarded as Roy's career best performance.

Personal life

Roy was born in Kolkata, West Bengal to Deepak and Indira Roy and educated at The Lawrence School, Sanawar. His maternal uncle is Cory Walia, a renowned name in tinsel town, and on the fashion circuit. He is married to Rajlakshmi Khanvilkar (Rani), a fashion model. On July 26, 2014 Rahul Roy and Rajlakshmi filed for divorce

Roy has been honoured with life membership of the International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy of Film & Television.