Bollywood has seen many legendary villains over the decades, and Ranjeet Bedi, also known as Gopal Singh Bedi, is one name that stands out. Known for playing iconic villainous roles in the 70s and 80s, Ranjeet left a promising government job to pursue his passion for acting. His journey from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to the big screen has been nothing short of remarkable.
From Sports Enthusiast to Bollywood’s Bad Guy
Ranjeet’s early life was filled with sports. He was the goalkeeper for his school and college football teams, and his athletic background shaped much of his disciplined life. He graduated from Hindu College in Delhi, pursuing science. But his destiny was far from a life in sports or academia.
A dispute with his mentor while in the Indian Air Force led Ranjeet to take a bold decision—he left his government job to explore the world of acting. Encouraged by his friend’s father, Ranveer Singh, who was well-connected with the film industry, Ranjeet made his way to Mumbai. Though his first film Zindagi Ki Rahein was shelved, this didn’t stop him.
The Rise of a Villain
Ranjeet finally found his big break in 1970 with the film Sawan Bhado, and his career took off from there. Over the next few decades, Ranjeet became a household name for playing villainous characters. His menacing performances in movies like Sharmilee, Reshma Aur Shera, Border, and Bulandi made him one of the busiest actors of his time.
At one point, Ranjeet was working on 80 films simultaneously, a feat that speaks volumes about his popularity and demand. In total, he has appeared in more than 200 films, etching his place as one of Bollywood’s most recognized villains.
Slower Pace in Recent Years
Despite his incredible success in the past, Ranjeet has appeared in only two films over the last decade. He was seen in Welcome Back in 2015 and Housefull 4 in 2019. However, fans won’t have to wait long to see him on the big screen again. Ranjeet is set to appear in Housefull 5, once again sharing the screen with Akshay Kumar.
This slow but steady return to films shows that while Ranjeet’s appearances may have decreased, his contribution to Bollywood remains significant. He continues to be a beloved figure, both for his villainous roles and the charm he brings to each character.
