Rajesh Kumar, renowned for his iconic role as Rosesh Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, recently shared a chapter of his life where he transitioned from acting to farming, ultimately facing bankruptcy. In an interview with a digital portal, he revealed the profound shift he made in 2017 when he decided to leave acting and embrace farming, a decision inspired by his involvement in rallies for rivers and agricultural causes.
Expressing his determination, Rajesh stated, “I decided to go back to my village in Gaya. We had land. I completely put myself into it. We have always portrayed farmers as poor. I wanted to change that perspective. My family supported me big time.” However, during this period, the second season of Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, in which he was a pivotal character, faced challenges in gaining immediate popularity. Rajesh acknowledged, “That’s the thing with Sarabhai, it never works when it is on air. It is a slow burner and works later.”
Reflecting on his farming experience, he shared, “I found farming to be an empty canvas. I worked for 5 years relentlessly in farming, facing numerous challenges due to my limited knowledge. Nature played with me, and I learned a lot.” The unforeseen events, including floods and fire during the lockdown, took a toll on Rajesh both financially and personally. Post-Covid-19, he found himself almost bankrupt with looming debts.
In the face of adversity, Rajesh learned a valuable lesson about selflessness and community support. He expressed, “Here I learned when you stop thinking about yourself and think about others, others start thinking about you, and this is a cycle.” Despite the setbacks, he takes pride in his sons identifying him as both an actor and a farmer. Now, he is seizing the opportunity to expand his farming efforts and contribute to the agrarian community on a larger scale. Rajesh Kumar is determined to make a full-fledged comeback, embracing both his acting career and his commitment to supporting the farmer’s way of life.