Rajesh Vivek Upadhyay (31 January 1949 – 14 January 2016) was an Indian actor, mainly a Comedian. He is best known to Hindi film audiences for his role as the astrologer Guran in Lagaan (2001) and as the postmaster Nivaran in Swades (2004). He had also played role of Vyasa, author of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, in the popular Indian series Mahabharat. He made his mark as a villain in the beginning with films like Veerana (1988) and Joshilaay (1989), often playing the role of a henchman, and later took to portraying comedic and supporting characters. His other credits include Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, What's Your Raashee? and Bunty Aur Babli. Rajesh is also noted for his roles in the historic TV series Bharat Ek Khoj and in the TV Serial Aghori. He acted in ad series of Cadbury 5 Star as the "Pitaji" of the two sons Ramesh and Suresh, starting from the ad titled "Pitaji ki Patloon".
Biography Vivek was born on 31 January 1949 in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. He obtained his Master of Arts degree in Ancient history & Archaeology from T. D. Degree College, Jaunpur, and trained at the National School of Drama in acting. Filmmaker Shyam Benegal first introduced him in films with his film Junoon (1978).
Rajesh died on 14 January 2016 at the age of 66 due to a massive heart attack while shooting for a film at Hyderabad.
Filmography
Film YearFilmRoleNotes1978Junoon1982Gandhi Dr. Rajendra Prasad1983Kalka (1983 film) Mine Manager1985Ram Teri Ganga Maili1986Janbaaz1988Veerana Baba (sorcerer)The Perfect MurderZero Police The DeceiversPriest1989JoshilaayShaitan Yogi DakuNishane Bazi TridevRaaghav1990Hatim TaiDepartedKafan1991Ganga Jamuna Ki LalkarHatyarinTantrik BabaKhatraJacksonVishkanya1992Nagin Aur LootereVishwatmaParasmani1993Phoolan Hasina Ramkali Maya Memsaab1994Bandit QueenMustaquim1995Karan Arjun1997LohaThakur Vikraal 'Mahakaal'1998Pardesi Babu1999MunnibaiKachche Dhaage2000Daku Ramkali2001LagaanGuran2003Dil Ka RishtaDangerous Night2004AsambhavPanditHatya: The MurderSwadesNivaranAb Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo Col Raghav Bhansali2005VaadaInspector KhanBunty Aur Babli Guru Ghantal Baba 2007Nanhe JaisalmerDhurjan Singh2008Bhole ShankarPanditjiGod Tussi Great Ho GhanshuJodhaa Akbar Chughtai Khan2009What's Your Raashee?Bhautesh Joshi2010Do Dooni ChaarKhelein Hum Jee Jaan SeyShiraz-ul-haq2011Mumbai Mast Kalandar2012AgneepathBakshiSon of SardarMamaji2014DishkiyaoonGujjar2015Yevade SubramanyamPembaTelugu film2016NagarahavuKannada film
Television YearShowRoleChannelNotes1988 Bharat Ek KhojEp 21 - Bhakt, Ep 32- Akbar Played role of Shiekh Mubarak. DD NationalMahabharatVed Vyas1990The Sword of Tipu Sultan1995Aahat Season 1 (1995–2001)Episode 12 to 14 Explosion Sony Entertainment Television1996Aghori1997Shiv MahapuranTarakaksha2005Honi AnhoniAnchor2011Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev YalkotiLife OK
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