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This TV star left acting for farming at his peak, but lost everything, faced abuse from recovery agents; now he...

Rajesh Kumar, famous for his role in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, faced financial hardship after quitting acting for farming.

Updated on: Aug 1, 2026, 13:46:55 IST
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Rajesh Kumar, best known for playing Rosesh Sarabhai in the beloved early-2000s sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, recently opened up about the financial hardships he faced after quitting acting to pursue farming full-time. The actor revealed that he had to sell his car and even endure abuse from credit card recovery agents after being unable to repay his debts.

Rajesh Kumar spoke about losing everythig after quitting acting.
Rajesh Kumar spoke about losing everythig after quitting acting.

'Turned to farming and lost everything'

Speaking to SCREEN about that phase of his life, Rajesh reflected on how his decision to leave acting and take up farming cost him his financial security at the age of 42. He said, “I think it was all part of God’s plan. What happened was that, at what many would call the peak of my career, I took a sabbatical from acting at the age of 42. I turned to farming, and I lost everything. Then I returned to acting in 2022. Those five years transformed me as a human being. I became more real, more grounded. I mean I came to understand the depths of suffering, how much pain a person can endure, how humiliating it feels when you have nothing left.”

'Credit card recovery agent would abuse me'

Rajesh admitted that he hit rock bottom when he had to sell his car and deal with abuse from credit card recovery agents. However, he said he never allowed himself to fall into depression despite the difficult circumstances. Recalling those challenging years, he said, “I’ve lived through moments where the credit card recovery agent would call the watchman’s cabin downstairs and abuse me because I didn’t have the money to pay. I sold my car. The last vehicle I owned was an Eco Car, which I eventually handed over to my farmers in Nashik because I couldn’t pay them. I’ve been through so much. But despite all that, I never allowed myself to sink into depression, anxiety, or any kind of negative emotion. The biggest takeaway from the last four or five years has been the learning; it has been incredibly beautiful.”

Rajesh Kumar is famous for his role in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.
Rajesh Kumar is famous for his role in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.

About Rajesh Kumar

Rajesh is best known for playing the iconic character of Rosesh Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. In recent years, however, the actor has consciously taken up diverse projects to move beyond that image.

His web series Yeh Meri Family received widespread appreciation from audiences. He has also appeared in acclaimed web shows such as Rana Naidu and Freedom at Midnight. Apart from web series, Rajesh has played supporting roles in films including Saiyaara, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Nishaanchi, and several others.

  • Vibha Maru
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vibha Maru

    Vibha Maru is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, based in Delhi. With a decade of experience across digital and print media, she covers Bollywood, Hollywood and web shows. A self-confessed cinephile who breathes Hindi cinema, Vibha can often be found sacrificing sleep after binge-watching films and web series. Though she holds a Commerce degree, she discovered her true calling in journalism after enrolling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). She began her career covering Delhi's cultural scene, food, nightlife, concerts, and city life at The Times of India, before moving into full-time entertainment journalism with India Today. At India Today, Vibha interviewed some of the biggest names in Bollywood and television while carving a niche for herself through film reviews, opinion pieces, nostalgic features, celebrity interviews, and trend-driven stories. She later brought her storytelling and editorial expertise to The Indian Express, where she continued to deepen her understanding of cinema through long-form entertainment explainers, retrospectives and feature writing. Now, as Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times Entertainment, Vibha continues to chronicle the world of movies and pop culture. Her work spans breaking entertainment news, exclusive interviews, celebrity features, and stories that capture the conversations shaping Indian cinema.Read More

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