Mumbai, February 8: Hindi cinema has seen many stars rise and fall, but few have captured the hearts of female fans quite like Rahul Roy. His charming hairstyle, innocent face, and lover-boy image made him a sensation. His film “Aashiqui” was a blockbuster in the 1990s, running for six months in theaters. Despite this monumental success, Roy now finds himself working in low-budget films to make ends meet.
Born on February 9, Rahul Roy began his career with Mahesh Bhatt‘s “Aashiqui,” earning ₹30,000 for his debut role, while actress Anu Aggarwal was paid more. The film became a massive hit, and its songs were on everyone’s lips. During the 1990s, it was reported that the soundtrack sold the most albums in the market, overshadowing the popularity of stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan.
However, fortunes can change unexpectedly. After “Aashiqui,” Roy’s stardom skyrocketed, leading him to hastily sign 47 films in just 11 days. As filming began, most of these projects flopped at the box office. Following his initial success, Roy faced a barrage of failures with films like “Gajab Tamasha,” “Sapne Sajan Ke,” “Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi,” “Gumrah,” “Naseeb,” “Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare,” and “Barish.”
The rapid rise in Roy’s popularity was matched by an equally swift decline. While his chocolatey looks and stylish hair provided him recognition, his acting skills were often questioned. His ability to carry a film single-handedly came under scrutiny.
Amidst the string of flops, Roy also battled health issues, gradually disappearing from the cinema scene. He later appeared in several small projects. A brain stroke during filming in 2020 dramatically changed his life, forcing him to spend years in recovery.
Now, Rahul Roy is trying his luck on reality television with “Bigg Boss” and continues to appear in low-budget films. His latest project, titled “Agar,” was released in October last year. Besides acting, he also participates in weddings and functions to support himself.
