Famous for his comedic role in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, actor Rajesh Kumar once took a major step away from his successful acting career to pursue farming. This decision, while motivated by his love for agriculture, was not without its hardships. In a recent interview, Rajesh opened up about the numerous setbacks he faced, revealing how his bank balance once dwindled to just Rs 2500 and how he struggled to provide for his family.
A Bold Move: From Acting to Farming
In 2019, Rajesh Kumar decided to start farming on 20 acres of land in Palghar, moving away from the comfort of his acting career. However, his early days in farming turned out to be a nightmare. A flood hit his farm and destroyed 15,000 saplings, leading to heavy losses. Despite the setback, Rajesh continued his efforts, but more challenges awaited him.
A Series of Disasters
Just when Rajesh was recovering from the flood, the Covid-19 lockdown hit, and he was unable to tend to his farm for three months. By the time he returned, 75% of his crops had been destroyed. As if that wasn’t enough, a fire broke out on his farm, further damaging the remaining crops. At this point, Rajesh admitted feeling completely defeated, unsure if he could continue pursuing his dream of becoming a successful farmer.
Selling Vegetables Outside School
Determined not to give up, Rajesh took another bold step—he started selling the vegetables he grew outside his children’s school. Even during this period, he faced immense financial difficulties. EMI collectors would visit his house as he was drowning in debt. But Rajesh kept going, trying to make ends meet while hoping for a better future.
The Return to Acting: Financial Struggles Continue
After facing loss after loss, Rajesh eventually decided to return to acting to stabilize his financial condition. He secured a role in the show ‘Binny and Family’, which was shot in the UK. However, even during the shoot, his financial condition was so dire that he didn’t have enough money to buy even basic things for his kids. “During that 24-day shoot, I went home twice but couldn’t even afford two chocolates for my children,” Rajesh revealed emotionally.
