It has been 28 years since Subhash Ghai’s iconic film Pardes hit the big screen. The film’s story captured hearts everywhere, and so did its “chocolate boy” hero, who many viewers at the time found even more handsome than Shah Rukh Khan. Yes, we are talking about the actor who played ‘Rajiv’. Let’s find out where he is now and what he looks like.
Released 28 years ago, Pardes remains fresh in the hearts of the audience even today. The movie achieved iconic status with its story, music, dialogues, and performances shining brighter with time. While Shah Rukh Khan was already soaring at the heights of superstardom during that era, Mahima Chaudhry and Apurva Agnihotri made their silver screen debut with this very film. As ‘Rajiv’, Apurva Agnihotri left such a strong impact on the audience that many praised his screen presence as equal to, and sometimes even overshadowing, SRK. With his tall stature, glamorous looks, and perfect on-screen personality, Apurva grabbed a lot of attention. However, it seemed destiny had other plans. After just about seven films, he almost disappeared from the movie scene, while Shah Rukh continued his ascent to the peak of success.
The 52-Year-Old ‘Rajiv’ Has Changed Completely
Now, 28 years later, the handsome hunk from Pardes has turned 52. Apurva Agnihotri is still stylish, but his look has changed significantly. The transformation is so drastic that many old fans might not even recognize him at first glance. He often shares pictures with his wife, Shilpa Agnihotri, and their daughter on Instagram. His fan following on social media is somewhat limited, with around 1.53 lakh followers, which is quite modest compared to the stardom he saw in his early days.
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A Film Career That Sparkled… Then Stalled
Apurva worked in films like Krodh, Kasoor, Hum Ho Gaye Aapke, Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin, and Dhund, but his box office shine began to fade. Pardes remained his first and last major hit. The sting of continuous flops started to hurt, prompting him to turn towards the world of television. In 2003, he starred alongside Mona Singh in the show Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, which brought him back into the limelight.
Preparing for a New Innings
Following his TV debut, he played important roles in shows like Nach Baliye, Kaajjal, Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai, Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara, Bepannah, and more recently, Anupamaa. He also appeared in the web series Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain and participated as a contestant in Bigg Boss 7, where his simplicity and honest image were much talked about. Now, Apurva is all set to return to the screen once again. He will soon be seen playing the role of Dr. Farid in the new show Sahar – Hone Ko Hai alongside Mahhi Vij.
