Rahul Roy

Rahul Roy is a prominent Indian actor, producer, and former model who achieved legendary status in the 1990s as the original "Aashiqui boy." Born on February 9, 1968, in Mumbai, he was raised in an influential family; his father, Deepak Roy, was a businessman, while his mother, Indira Roy, was a writer for UNICEF. He spent his formative years in New Delhi and attended the prestigious Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Himachal Pradesh, before pursuing his higher education at Ramjas College. His transition into the world of entertainment began with modeling, where his distinct look and lanky frame eventually caught the attention of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.

His professional debut in the 1990 musical blockbuster Aashiqui was nothing short of a cinematic phenomenon, catapulting him to overnight superstardom and establishing him as a romantic icon for an entire generation. Following this massive success, Roy reportedly signed 47 films within a mere 11 days, though many of these projects were eventually shelved or failed to replicate the success of his debut. Despite this, he delivered notable performances in the early 1990s, most significantly in the horror-drama Junoon (1992), where his portrayal of a man transforming into a tiger earned him a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor. He also starred in the semi-autobiographical Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993), which was notably Zee TV's first mainstream production.

The mid-2000s marked a significant chapter in his career as he transitioned into reality television. In 2006, he participated in the inaugural season of Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Celebrity Big Brother. His calm and dignified persona resonated deeply with the audience, leading him to emerge as the winner of the show in January 2007. This victory sparked a renewed interest in his career, leading him to venture into film production with his company, Rahul Roy Productions, which released the action film Elaan in 2011. In recent years, Roy has continued to work in both mainstream and independent cinema, earning critical acclaim for his role as "Daddyji" in the film Agra, which premiered at international festivals and was released more widely in 2025.

In the digital era, Roy maintains a professional presence on social media, often sharing updates about his health recovery following a brain stroke he suffered in 2020 and reflecting on his journey with a loyal fanbase. He has been vocal about his experiences in the industry, emphasizing the importance of craft over social media "hype" and expressing gratitude for the support he received during his illness. Most recently, as of early 2026, he remains active in the industry, appearing in projects like the television series Jamai Raja (2025) and continuing to engage in public appearances, where he remains celebrated as a symbol of 1990s Bollywood nostalgia.