Raj Kiran (actor)


Raj Kiran Mahtani is an Indian former actor, who is best known for his work in Bollywood films. He made his debut in B. R. Ishara's Kaagaz Ki Nao in 1975 and appeared in more than 100 films, until the 1990s. Kiran later disappeared from the film industry and was believed to have been living as a recluse in the United States, but conflicting reports from 2011, have indicated his current whereabouts are unknown.

Career

Kiran made his acting debut opposite Sarika in B. R. Ishara's Kaagaz Ki Nao in 1975. In 1980, he appeared in 8 films and he started to get noticed. He appeared in leading roles in films such as Shikshaa, Maan Abhiman and Ek Naya Rishta. He also had supporting roles in films such as Karz, Baseraa, Arth and Raaj Tilak. While Kiran was often cast as a kind-hearted romantic hero because of his chocolate boy good looks he also played some roles with grey shades, as in Justice Chaudhury. His film career started to slow down in the 1990s. He also appeared in the acclaimed TV series Reporter which also started Shekhar Suman.

Personal life

Kiran was born in Bombay to a Sindhi Hindu family. He is rumoured to have gone into acute depression, when his career declined and faced several domestic crises and was later admitted to a mental asylum in Mumbai. He was later rumoured to have been living as a recluse, in the United States. Deepti Naval tried to look for Kiran through Facebook, writing: "Looking for a friend from the film world, his name is Raj Kiran – we have no news of him – last heard he was driving a cab in New York, if anyone has any clue, please tell..."
In June 2011, Rishi Kapoor, who was on a trip to the United States, made a phone call to Kiran's brother Gobind Mahtani and was told that Kiran was in a mental asylum in Atlanta, but was not given more details. However Kiran's daughter Rishika, subsequently issued a public statement, negating the reports of Kiran being found in Atlanta. She clarified that the family had been searching for him, with the assistance of New York police and private detectives for years.

Television

Amrita Apariita Reporter Indrajaal Aakhir Kaun Aahat
  • ''Yeh Hain Raaz''