Riju Bajaj

Biography:

Son of late Shrimati Chandrakala Khemchand Prakash and Shri Ram Gopal Bajaj, born on December 8th in Delhi. In 1990, Riju left his home to live in Bombay and abandoned his plans to finish school in order to pursue an acting profession. Riju participated in the first children’s theatre workshop in India in 1979, which was organized by the Delhi National School of Drama.

When Riju was eleven years old, he made his acting debut in the 1980 theatrical production of “Kya Yeh Sach Bol Raha Hai,” which was created by NSD undergraduates. He quickly started doing television serials and rose to fame with Lekhu, which tells the tale of a young scientist from a low-income household who overcomes all obstacles to achieve.

His most well-known role was in Govind Nihalani’s Tamas, for which he received a nomination for best supporting actor at the 1988 National Awards. It also helped him win over other filmmakers, such as Amol Palekar, who cast him in Thoda Sa Roomani Ho Jayen, and Shyamm Benegal, who cast him in Antarnaad & Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda, solidifying his reputation as a talented actor. He played a British biographical character who similarly leaves his home to seek an acting career in the television series Humraahi, which made him quite popular.

Riju realized he wanted to be a director while filming “The Mating Game Show,” India’s first reality series, which was directed by Govind Nihalani for BITV. He told Mr. Nihalani about his desire to become a director, and he offered to hire him as his assistant for his upcoming movie, Sanshodhan. In Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, Riju also helped him.

Later, Riju began working as an independent director on the hit television series India’s Most Wanted while learning the ropes from Gyan Sahay, Virender Saini, and Deepa Mehta. Phir Bhi, his subsequent television series for etv Urdu, became a channel flagship and solidified his reputation as a talented filmmaker.

Yun Hota To Kya Hota, a feature film directed by Naseeruddin Shah, was co-written and Riju served as associate director in 2005. Riju became the creative director of television shows at B.A.G. Films in 2005. Riju became a member of Fox Tv Studios India Pvt. Ltd.’s core team in 2007 as a development manager and creative director.

Riju became the Creative Head of the television series Maati Ki Banno at Hema Malini Media & Entertainment in 2011. In 2012, Riju became the Creative Director of the television series Mahabharat for Swastik Productions. LIFFT India Filmotsav-World Cine Fest, Riju’s second international film festival, was founded in Lonavla in 2017. As an actor and director, Riju is currently working in both fields.