Rahul Roy, who was in Chandigarh for an event, tells us how he is gathering the pieces of his life after the brain stroke in 2020
A boy and a girl covered with a jacket, romantic tracks that became chartbusters of all times…The year 1990 saw the rise of Rahul Roy! The man who gave Bollywood a blockbuster called Aashiqui. The man, who became the national crush.
Three decades on, Rahul can still recreate the magic of yesteryear. In Chandigarh, on Wednesday, for an event, he drives his fans into frenzy. They jostle each other to be in the same frame as cameras capture the magic. Rahul, who maintains the same Aashiqui hairdo, is happy at the love he receives, and counts life’s blessings.
But then life’s been rather unkind to him. After suffering a brain stroke in 2020 while shooting for his film LAC: Live the Battle in Kargil triggered by the harsh weather conditions, he had to spend a considerable time in the hospital. Even four years on, he still takes it slow, a sentence at a time, just grateful that he can work again.
With a film, Agra, in 2023 and mini-series, Kadiyaan, this year, Rahul is back in business. “I have a couple of films, web shows, and many events. I am happy being back in action,” shares the Junoon actor.
He is happy being back in Chandigarh too. He crossed city few weeks earlier for another event in Ludhiana. But his connection is way deeper than a few flying visits. He studied at Lawrence School, Sanawar, and fondly recalls his frequent trips to Sector 17. “Those were the best of times. I am still in touch with my schoolmates and am looking forward to spending time with them.”
He is happy at the adulation coming his way but the memory of the tough phase still troubles him. “When I was taken to Mumbai from Kargil, I was wheelchair bound,” he shares. It was his brother-in-law Romeer, and sister (adopted) Hari Maa (Priyanka), who took care of him. “When the entire world shut its doors on me, Hari Maa nursed me back to health. It’s only due to her and my jija Romeer that I am able to speak. She is my maa, my sister.” Interestingly, before taking the name Hari Maa and embracing spirituality, Priyanka was a model.
Rahul’s ex-wife Rajlaxmi saw him through his high and low phases before they parted ways. “Rajlaxmi divorced me in 2014. I have largely been on my own since then.”
Another person that Rahul speaks high of is Salman Khan. Ask him of his Bigg Boss days (he won the first season of the popular reality show) and he says, “Those were strange times. Nobody knew if someone would do the task or not. I don’t care to remember that phase. Except for Salman. Nobody can do Bigg Boss like he does. He is gem of a person.”
Post Aashiqui’s, Rahul signed for a couple of movies, but most of those projects were shelved. The success of Aashiqui could never be repeated. “What Aashiqui did in 1990 was magical. There couldn’t be any other time, film, director (Mahesh Bhatt) or the cast. Its music by Nadeem-Shravan still echoes in fans’ heart.”
Rahul sure has a point. In fact, every song of the film was a hit —Main Duniya Bhula Doonga, Bas Ek Sanam Chaahiye, Dheere Dheere Se Meri Zindagi Main Aana, Nazar Ke Samne, Jaane Jigar, Jaane Man and Tu Meri Zidegi Hai to name a few. In 2015 Dheere Dheere was recreated by Honey Singh featuring Sonam Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan, but it could never replicate the charisma of the original track.
The film’s sequel Aashiqui 2 starring Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor too won big on audience’s love. “I watched it. It turned out pretty good,” he says.
Acting in movies and shows, doing events in India and abroad, and inching towards full recovery — Rahul Roy is hoping to embrace life fully. Amen!
