Raqesh Bapat is an Indian actor, model, and visual artist who works primarily in Hindi television and films. He gained popular recognition through his role in the Marathi-Hindi feature film Tum Bin (2001) and later through several Hindi television serials. He is also known for his work as a painter and sculptor, and for his appearance on the reality show Bigg Boss OTT in 2021.
| Full name | Raqesh Bapat |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor, model, visual artist |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Place of origin | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Languages of work | Hindi, Marathi |
| Notable film | Tum Bin (2001) |
| Notable television | Qubool Hai, Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak?, Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahaan |
| Reality television | Bigg Boss OTT (2021) |
Raqesh Bapat was born and brought up in Pune, Maharashtra. He pursued an interest in fine arts alongside his entry into modelling and acting. He has continued to work as a sculptor and painter throughout his acting career, exhibiting his art in addition to his on-screen work.
Bapat made his Hindi film debut with Anubhav Sinha's romantic drama Tum Bin (2001), in which he played the role of Amar opposite Sandali Sinha and Priyanshu Chatterjee. The film became a sleeper hit and remains his best-known cinema appearance. He has subsequently appeared in select Marathi films and independent projects.
Bapat moved into Hindi television, where he played lead and parallel-lead roles in several serials. His notable shows include:
In 2021, Bapat participated in Bigg Boss OTT, the digital edition of the Bigg Boss franchise hosted by Karan Johar on Voot. He was paired in the show's connection format with actor Shamita Shetty. He left the house mid-season due to a health issue but later re-entered as a guest. He subsequently appeared with Shamita Shetty in the music video Tere Bin Kya Hai Jeena.
Apart from acting, Bapat is an established sculptor working with materials including wood and metal. He has spoken in multiple interviews about regarding sculpture as a parallel and equally significant career to acting.
Bapat married Marathi and Hindi television actor Ridhi Dogra in 2011. The couple announced their separation in 2019.
Raqesh Bapat represents a category of Indian performers who have moved fluidly between feature film, daily-soap television, regional cinema, and digital reality formats, while also maintaining an independent practice in the visual arts. His career trajectory from a single high-profile film debut to sustained television work illustrates the role of long-form Hindi serials as a primary platform for actors after limited theatrical visibility.