Actor who worked with Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan says he was thrown out of his home after Bollywood debut

Veteran Bollywood actor Ranjeet, known for his iconic villain roles in films spanning several decades, recently opened up about a challenging and somewhat unusual chapter from his early career. Having appeared in over 200 films with bigwigs like Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, Ranjeet’s career began in 1970. He was part of many popular movies in the 70s, 80s, and beyond, including Hulchul (1971), Laila Majnu (1976), and Housefull 4 (2019). However, despite his widespread recognition and success, Ranjeet's debut film left a bitter memory, particularly in his personal life.

Ranjeet’s first significant film role was in the 1971 movie Sharmeelee. While the film is now remembered as part of his early successes, it also became the source of a personal crisis. In a revealing appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, the actor shared that his father’s reaction to his debut was far from supportive. According to Ranjeet, his father was deeply upset by the nature of his performance. "When I did my first film, Sharmeelee, my father threw me out of the house. He was like ‘Baap ka naak kata diya,’" he recalled.

The reason for his father’s anger was the controversial scene in the movie, where Ranjeet's character molested actress Raakhee. This involved a sequence where his character tears her clothes and pulls her hair, which did not sit well with his father. As Ranjeet explained, his father was dismayed by the choice of role, questioning why he couldn't have chosen a more respectable profession, such as being a doctor, engineer, or policeman. "He was like, 'What are you doing molesting a girl?'" Ranjeet recalled, describing how his father’s disappointment led to a serious family rift.

Ranjeet’s Journey to Stardom
Despite the setback with his father, Ranjeet’s career flourished. He eventually went on to establish himself as one of the most prominent villain actors in Bollywood, renowned for playing negative roles with remarkable intensity. Reflecting on his career in an interview with IANS, Ranjeet emphasized his ability to live life on his own terms. "I have lived life on my own terms. I did not have a godfather. Despite the image (of a baddie), I have never been involved in any controversy all these years," he shared.

His longevity in the industry is also a testament to his professionalism, as he was able to maintain a positive reputation despite being typecast in villainous roles.

Ranjeet’s Personal Life and Legacy
Interestingly, Ranjeet's foray into acting was not planned. Originally, he had aspirations of joining the Indian Air Force. However, during his training, he decided to switch paths. One fateful evening, while attending a party in Mumbai, a producer offered him a film role, and Ranjeet, without hesitation, agreed. Though his first film never saw the light of day, it was the start of an unexpected but successful career in Bollywood.

Born Gopal Bedi on September 12, 1942, in Jandiala Guru, Punjab, Ranjeet hails from an orthodox Sikh family. He pursued his education at Delhi’s Hindu College before embarking on his acting career. His personal life is also noteworthy, as he is married to Aloka Bedi, the niece of actress Mumtaz. Together, they have two children—Divyanka, a personal trainer and fitness entrepreneur, and Jeeva, who made his film debut in 2022 with Govinda Naam Mera.