Raqesh Vashisth

Raqesh Vashisht is an Indian actor and model. He is known for his work in films like Tum Bin (2001), Vrundavan (2016), Savita Damodar Paranjape (2018) and television shows like Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar (2005-2008), Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? (2010-2012) and Qubool Hai (2014)

He then worked in television commercials for Wrigley's gum and Colgate.

Raqesh Bapat was born on September 1, 1978 in Amravati. Raqesh won the National Award for his painting when he was in class IX,. he always had an innate flair for painting and sculpting.

Raqesh married his Maryada co-actor Ridhi Dogra in May 2012. However, the couple got separated in February 2019 with mutual consent.

His early achievements and advertisement roles led to Bollywood film roles, starting with the movie Tum Bin written and directed by Anubhav Sinha in 2001. The film was a commercial success.

After Tum Bin, Bapat featured in Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), a Bollywood romantic musical film, inspired by the songs of music composer R.D. Burman and directed by Anant Mahadevan. He played a role of psychosomatically ill Gaurav.

2003 - 2008

He appeared in ABC Pictures Private Limited's Tumse Milke Wrong Number in 2003, an Indian Hindi suspense thriller film, directed by Jignesh M. Vaishnav,Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya in 2004, directed by Rajesh Bhatt.

He had 2 releases in 2005, Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai, directed by Deepak Ramsay along with his Tum Bin co-actor Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dia Mirza where he played the role of an up-coming singer. And Naam Gum Jaayega, a romantic drama film, written and directed by Amol Shetge, opposite Dia Mirza.

Bapat began his television career in 2005 with Sphere Origins Hindi television drama Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar from 2005-2008. He got nominated for Indian Telly Awards for Best Actor in a Negative Role.

Bapat appeared in 2 films in 2006. ‘Jai Santoshi Maa’ directed by Ahmed Siddiqui which also starred Nushrat Bharucha in the lead role and 'Jaadu Sa Chal Gaya' directed by Dev Basu.

2008 - 2011

In 2008, Bapat played the role of Anuj, in a show presented by Hats Off Productions, aired on NDTV Imagine 's Ek Packet Umeed. The show depicted the tale of all genres of women living under one roof and Raqesh playing the sole male seen in the serial. The show won award for ‘Best Weekly Programme’ at The Indian Telly Awards.

In 2010, Bapat appeared in a show Seven- The Ashvamedha Prophecy an Indian supernatural television series that aired on Sony Entertainment Television. The series was produced by Yash Chopra. He played the role of Shlok, the male Guardian of Seven. ‘Seven’, was the story of the search for the seven descendants and their journey of discovering their real capabilities. The show had won 3 Telly awards and 1 ITA award. .

From 2010-2012, he played the male protagonist Aditya Singh Jakhar in Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? ‘Indian television drama on STAR Plus. Maryada revolves around the lives of four women of the Jhaakar family and the darker realities of their relationships. The show gained a lot of popularity. The series is also remembered as the first show on Indian Television to have a homosexual story line.

In 2011, he replaced Gautam Rode to play the role of Karan in Simplly Sapney an Indian television drama series that aired on Zee Next based on the lives of four girls who come to work at a Hotel Tropical Paradise and how their lives get change.

2012 - present

Bapat made a comeback in films after 6 years in 2012, with 2 releases. A Hindi and A Marathi film. He starred in Heroine, drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Madhur Bhandarkar.

He then made his Marathi film debut with film, 'Aayna ka Bayna', a dance film directed by Samit Kakkad. The film also starred Sachin Khedekar and Amruta Khanvilkar.

Bapat also appeared in Hongey Judaa Na Hum a television drama series and premiered on Sony Entertainment Television India. He played a lead of Rohan Mishra opposite Aamna Sharif.

In 2013, he took part in Nach Baliye 6, a dance, reality-television series that airs on Star Plus with ex-wife Ridhi Dogra. The show is a competition where in 10 television celebrity couples compete against each other.

In the same year he appeared in 2 films, Gippi, a Hindi teen film, directed by Sonam Nair and produced by Karan Johar , where he played the role of a Chemistry teacher . and A New Love Ishtory a comedy drama film directed by John Matthew Matthan.

He replaced Karan Singh Grover in the lead role of Asad Ahmed Khan on Qubool Hai, which was produced by 4 Lions Films and broadcast on Zee TV in January 2014. He did not continue with that series when it made a time leap in early 2014.

He appeared in 'Citizen' (2015) a Marathi film, along with Rajshree Landge, Yatin Karyekar, Pushkar Shrotri, Uday Tikekar.

In 2016, he played the lead roles in 2 Marathi films. 'Vrundavan', the film which also starred many senior and celebrated actors from the Marathi film industry; Mahesh Manjrekar, Ashok Saraf, Mohan Joshi, Sharad Ponkshe, Uday Tikekar. and 'Sarv Mangal Savdhan' a romantic comedy directed by Rahil Khan, in which he appeared along with actress Manjari Fadnis.

In the same year he replaced Karan Grover in the lead role of Shantanu Kant a scientist in Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant (2016-2017), one of the popular fantasy drama family show on Life OK. The show also airs on MBC 2 (Mauritius).

He starred in the 'Savita Damodar Paranjpe' in 2018. The film is a Marathi Psychological thriller based on famous 1985's Shekhar Tamhane directorial drama of the same name. The film was very well received at the 11th edition of the Goa Marathi Film Festival. The audience gave a standing ovation to the film during its screening. It also went on to screen on Netflix.

He also appeared in Tu Aashiqui (2018) which aired on Colors TV. The show was a musical drama romance television show based on two lovers' efforts to unite. He played the role of Reyansh Diwan who made an entry in Pankti's life as the influential and charming businessman.

He played the lead role in 2 Marathi films in 2019. 'WhatsApp Love' along with actress Anuja Sathe, the film directed by Hemant Kumar Mahale.

And Raja in ‘Mumbai Apli Ahe’ (2019) a film directed by Bharat Sunanda, set in the Mumbai of the 90s and revolves around Raja who starts as small criminal grows up to become a notorious don in the city.

Raqesh also starred in ‘Forever’ (2019), a Romantic thriller film directed by Vinay Tiwari along with Nisha Aliya.

Bapat is also associated with a non-profit organization, ‘Shyamchi Aai Foundation’. His sister Sheetal, is one of the founding members of this organization. At the foundation, they promote skill development and urge children to take up courses that will help them enhance their potential instead of following the herd's mentality.

Bapat was also on Panel for the ‘Hindustan Times Scholarship programme’ in Pune, along with actor director, Alok Rajwade, Resident editor of Hindustan Times, Abhay Vaidya who interacted with students in a lively question and answer session. A large number of students, parents and school representatives from various schools were present.

• Grasim ‘Mr. India’ -1999- First Runner Up
• 'Mr. International'- First Runner Up