Rahul Roy on 'Aashiqui' debut: How he watched Anupam Kher, Vinod Khanna on set
Synopsis
Rahul Roy was cast in 'Aashiqui' within 10 minutes of meeting Mahesh Bhatt — but before that, he spent hours silently watching Anupam Kher, Vinod Khanna, and Pooja Bhatt work on the sets of 'Daddy'. Thirty-six years on, the story of one of Bollywood's most accidental leading men is as compelling as the film itself.
Key Takeaways
Rahul Roy revealed on 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' that he observed Anupam Kher , Vinod Khanna , and Pooja Bhatt on the sets of 'Daddy' before his own debut.
Roy had no formal acting training; he relied entirely on instinct and full emotional commitment to each scene.
Mahesh Bhatt offered Roy the lead in 'Aashiqui' within 10 minutes of their first meeting.
Roy's mother, then working with UNICEF , was instrumental in arranging the meeting with Bhatt.
Roy was pursuing modelling after returning from London when the opportunity arose. 'Aashiqui' (1990) launched one of Bollywood's most celebrated debut careers, now spanning 36 years .
Actor Rahul Roy has revealed that before his landmark Bollywood debut in 'Aashiqui' alongside Anu Aggarwal, he quietly observed veteran stars Anupam Kher, Vinod Khanna, and Pooja Bhatt on the sets of director Mahesh Bhatt's film 'Daddy' — absorbing the craft before he ever faced a camera himself. The actor made the disclosure during a recent appearance on the dance reality show 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' on Sony Entertainment Television.
Learning by Watching
Roy described how he would sit quietly on the sets of 'Daddy' and study the working actors around him. 'So when I went there, he was filming 'Daddy' film, so Pooja Bhatt, Vinod Khanna and Anupam Kher were there. I used to sit on the chair, and I used to see all these guys acting, kaise karte hain,' he said. For a newcomer with no formal acting background, those hours of silent observation served as an informal masterclass ahead of one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated debuts.
No Training, Only Instinct
Roy admitted he had no real understanding of what acting entailed when he stepped in front of the camera for 'Aashiqui'. He said he simply committed fully to every scene, including a demanding divorce sequence featuring co-star Reena, where he gave, by his own account, everything he had. The rawness that defined his performance in the film, he suggests, was less the product of technique and more of total emotional investment.
How 'Aashiqui' Happened in 10 Minutes
The story of how Roy landed the role is equally striking. After returning from London, he was pursuing a modelling career when his mother — who was working with UNICEF at the time — facilitated a conversation with Mahesh Bhatt. Roy recalled the sequence of events: 'Hairstyle maine London mein hairstylist Colleen se karwaya tha. Uske baad main Mumbai aaya aur modelling kar raha tha. Meri maa UNICEF mein kaam karti thi aur usi dauraan unki Mahesh Bhatt se baat hui.' Within 10 minutes of that first meeting with Bhatt, Roy was offered the lead role in 'Aashiqui'.
36 Years in Cinema
Looking back on a cinematic journey spanning 36 years, Roy expressed gratitude to everyone who has been part of his career. 'Aashiqui', released in 1990, became a cultural phenomenon, its soundtrack becoming one of the best-selling film albums in Indian music history. Roy's appearance on 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' — which airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 PM on Sony Entertainment Television — marks one of his more prominent public appearances in recent years, and offered fans a rare window into the making of a Bollywood icon.
Point of View
Driven by a director's instinct rather than screen tests. What mainstream coverage of Roy tends to miss is that his self-taught approach, watching Kher and Khanna from a chair on a film set, was itself a form of craft. The question his story raises is whether that kind of organic entry point still exists in an industry now dominated by star kids, acting schools, and OTT audition pipelines.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rahul Roy reveal about his preparation for 'Aashiqui'?
Rahul Roy revealed that he had no formal acting training before 'Aashiqui' and instead spent time on the sets of Mahesh Bhatt's film 'Daddy', quietly observing Anupam Kher, Vinod Khanna, and Pooja Bhatt at work. He described sitting on a chair and watching how established actors performed their scenes.
How did Rahul Roy get cast in 'Aashiqui'?
Roy was cast within 10 minutes of his first meeting with director Mahesh Bhatt. The meeting was arranged through Roy's mother, who was working with UNICEF at the time and had spoken to Bhatt on his behalf.
Where did Rahul Roy share these memories?
Roy shared these recollections during an appearance on the dance reality show 'India's Best Dancer Season 5', which airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 PM on Sony Entertainment Television.
Who was Rahul Roy's co-star in 'Aashiqui'?
Rahul Roy made his Bollywood debut in 'Aashiqui' (1990) alongside Anu Aggarwal. The film was directed by Mahesh Bhatt and became a major commercial and cultural success, particularly for its soundtrack.
How long has Rahul Roy been part of Bollywood?
Rahul Roy has been part of Indian cinema for 36 years, having debuted with 'Aashiqui' in 1990. He reflected on this journey with gratitude during his recent television appearance.
