Rajesh Kumar, beloved for his role as Rosesh in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, recently shared his challenging journey from acting to farming, revealing he faced bankruptcy and is still repaying debts, yet credits the experience for making him a better actor.
The Actor’s Unconventional Path
Rajesh Kumar, known for his iconic role as Rosesh, took a surprising break from acting to venture into farming. His decision wasn’t just a career change; it was driven by a deeper purpose. He aimed to prove that farming is a dignified profession and combat the stigma associated with it.
To drive his point home, the actor even sold vegetables outside his son’s school. This act was meant to teach the younger generation a valuable lesson: no work is small or embarrassing. He wanted his own children, and others, to respect those who work in agriculture.
Facing Financial Hardship
Despite his passion and noble intentions, farming proved to be a tough financial road for Kumar. He openly admitted to facing significant losses, which led to a dire financial situation. With no steady income from farming, he was forced to take on multiple loans to sustain himself.
The actor candidly shared that reports of his bankruptcy were true. He found himself deep in debt with very limited income. While he has returned to acting, he confirmed that he is still actively working to pay off those past debts, with about 10-12% remaining.
The Realities of Organic Farming
Kumar explained that the physical act of farming itself wasn’t the biggest challenge. The true difficulty lay in convincing consumers about the value of organic and naturally grown produce. He found it hard to educate people on why choosing millet or understanding the difference between natural and organic was important.
He felt “trapped” in this constant need to educate an often unreceptive market. People, he noted, were generally unwilling to do their own research into the benefits of sustainable farming practices, making it an uphill battle to sell his yield.
Farming’s Unexpected Acting Lesson
Surprisingly, Rajesh Kumar views his challenging farming experience as a significant asset to his acting career. He humorously shared that the hardships he faced on the farm now serve as a powerful emotional trigger for his roles.
Instead of imagining fictional tragedies, he simply recalls incidents like his farm catching fire. This raw, personal memory allows him to effortlessly access the necessary emotions, making him a more authentic and compelling performer. He credits farming with enhancing his ability to connect with character emotions.
Back to the Screen, Still Connected to Roots
Rajesh Kumar has successfully transitioned back into the world of acting, recently appearing in Mohit Suri’s film Saiyaara. However, his passion for agriculture hasn’t waned. He continues to share valuable information about farming and gardening on his Instagram.
Beyond social media, he also participates in special events, dedicating his time to educate students and the general public about agriculture. His journey highlights a unique blend of artistry and advocacy, proving that even setbacks can lead to personal and professional growth.
- Rajesh Kumar left acting for farming with a mission to dignify the profession.
- He faced bankruptcy due to farming losses and is still repaying debts.
- The biggest challenge in farming was educating consumers about organic produce.
- His difficult farming experience surprisingly enhanced his acting abilities.
His story is a testament to resilience, showing how one can overcome adversity and find unexpected strengths along the way.
