After saying he has only Rs 20 lakh debt left, Rajesh Kumar reveals he sold his car, prefers to use public transport: 'People see me as bechara'

 

Rajesh Kumar, best known for playing Rosesh Sarabhai in the much-loved sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, recently shared that he has only 10-15% of his Rs 2 crore loan left to repay. In a new interview, Rajesh shared that he sold his car, not because of any financial troubles, but because he doesn’t like wasting time in the Mumbai traffic, and likes to use public transport. The actor had switched to farming during the Covid pandemic, but his initiative didn't succeed as the actor didn't understand the intricacy of the endeavour by his own admission, leading him to accruing debt.

'People saw me as 'bechara' after they learnt of my bankruptcy'

In a chat with Aftab Puntoo on his YouTube channel, Rajesh said that when people saw him taking an auto rickshaw earlier, they saw him as a “bechara”. “When I shared that I have taken up farming, went bankrupt… And during that time, when people saw me taking an auto rickshaw, they would say, 'Bechara, he can’t afford a car, he is taking an auto'. Now, when I take an auto, after working so much, they call me 'down to earth',” he shared with a laugh.

He said that this wasn’t about owning a car, as he sold his car because of the traffic in Mumbai. “I sold my car because of traffic. I only use local transport. Even for shoots, I take Ola or Uber. I prefer that, I prefer Rapido,” he said. When asked if he gets recognised by any of the drivers who are driving him, he said, “Then he takes a selfie. Even auto drivers take selfies.”

'No ego in taking public transport'

Rajesh said that his point is to get to his destination and the “mode of transport could be anything.” When asked if there was “any ego” that stops him from doing this, he laughed and said, “Pagal hai kya (Are you mad?)”

“My upbringing tells me that convenience is more important. Show off is another thing. Even if I buy an expensive car, I will be stuck in the same traffic.”

Rajesh said that he uses the metro quite often as it is close to his house. When asked if he ever gets spotted by fans, he said, “That’s not a problem. People come up to you, talk to you, take pictures. They do that at the airport too. So how is metro any different? Even if you are abroad, people from the Indian community recogise you, take pictures. That’s the perk of your job.” He concluded by saying, “You should stop giving so much importance to yourself. You should be happy. Inner happiness is the best way.”

'No ego in taking public transport'

Rajesh said that his point is to get to his destination and the “mode of transport could be anything.” When asked if there was “any ego” that stops him from doing this, he laughed and said, “Pagal hai kya (Are you mad?)”

“My upbringing tells me that convenience is more important. Show off is another thing. Even if I buy an expensive car, I will be stuck in the same traffic.”

Rajesh said that he uses the metro quite often as it is close to his house. When asked if he ever gets spotted by fans, he said, “That’s not a problem. People come up to you, talk to you, take pictures. They do that at the airport too. So how is metro any different? Even if you are abroad, people from the Indian community recogise you, take pictures. That’s the perk of your job.” He concluded by saying, “You should stop giving so much importance to yourself. You should be happy. Inner happiness is the best way.”

It’s quite a story of resilience. Rajesh Kumar, whom many of us still associate with the hilariously quirky Rosesh Sarabhai, has been remarkably candid about his journey.

His transition from acting to organic farming in 2019 was incredibly difficult. He accumulated nearly Rs 2 crore in debt after natural disasters like floods wiped out his crops, leading to a period where he even sold vegetables outside his son’s school to make ends meet.

In his recent updates this April 2026, he shared some deeply personal reflections on how he’s been getting his life back on track:

The "Bechara" Perception

Rajesh mentioned that after his bankruptcy became public knowledge, people's views of him changed based on his lifestyle choices. He sold his car, but he clarifies that it wasn't just a financial necessity—it was a practical choice to avoid Mumbai’s grueling traffic.

• The Shift: He noted with a laugh that when he first started taking autos, people looked at him as a "bechara" (pitiful person) who couldn't afford a car.

  
  
  

• Today: Now that he’s back to working successfully in projects like Kota Factory and the blockbuster Saiyaara, people see the same behavior as being "down to earth."

Financial Recovery

He has managed to clear about 85–90% of his debt, leaving only about Rs 20 lakh remaining. He credits this turnaround to his return to acting and the success of his recent digital and film projects.

A Family Venture

One of the most touching parts of his current journey is the support from his family:

• The "Swades" Moment: His two sisters, who were well-settled in the US and Finland for over 25 years, have actually quit their high-paying corporate jobs to move back to Bihar and handle the farming business.

  
  
  

• The Goal: Their return was a gift for his 50th birthday (in January 2026), intended to free him up so he can focus entirely on his acting career while they manage the agricultural side.

  

  
  

It’s a rare look at the highs and lows of following a passion outside of glitz and glamour, and it's great to see him coming out the other side with such a grounded perspective.

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