Sai Ketan Rao, an Indian actor born on July 10, 1994, has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry. His journey, however, has been far from easy. From a troubled childhood to becoming a recognized face on television, Rao's story is one of resilience and determination.
Early Life and Personal Struggles
During the live streaming of Bigg Boss OTT 3 in June 2024, Sai Ketan Rao opened up about his difficult childhood. He revealed that his father abandoned the family, leading to immense hardship. His mother faced harassment from her in-laws, but she fought back, working multiple jobs to provide for Sai and his younger sister, who is eleven years his junior. Rao recounted a particularly poignant memory of sleeping on railway tracks during those challenging times.
Despite these hardships, Rao persevered. Chandrika Dixit and Deepak, fellow contestants on Bigg Boss OTT 3, offered him support and encouraged him to take pride in his achievements. Rao had aspirations of becoming a doctor, but the financial constraints made it impossible to afford medical college fees. His mother initially opposed his pursuit of acting, viewing it as an unstable career path. She had hoped he would pursue an MBA and secure a corporate job.
Education and Early Career
Born in Lonavala, Maharashtra, Sai Ketan Rao's family background is middle class. He began his schooling in Solapur, Maharashtra, before moving to Pune and eventually settling in Hyderabad, Telangana. He completed his tenth grade at Vignan School in Hyderabad and went on to earn a B. Tech in Computer Science from the Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management. He later obtained an MBA in System Operations from the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management’s Hyderabad campus.
After completing his education, Rao worked for an Australian company. However, his passion for acting, which he had harbored since childhood, led him to join Ramanaidu Film School to study theatre arts.
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Acting Career
Sai Ketan Rao's acting career began with short films and feature films. He made his television debut with "Agni Sakshi." Since then, he has appeared in several Hindi web series, including "Three Half Bottles" (2019) on ZEE5, "Love Studio" (2020) on YouTube, "Lovely" (2021) on ShreyasET, and "Aham Bhramhasmi" (2021) on MX Player and Hungama Digital. He has also acted in Telugu films such as "Ajay Passayyadu" (2019), "Strangers" (2021) on Amazon Prime, and "Mounam" (2020) on Aha.
Television Roles
Rao gained significant recognition for his role as Raghav Rao in the Star Plus series "Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali." He further showcased his versatility by portraying Raunaq Babbar (Reddy) in "Chashni." More recently, he appeared in "Imlie" on Star Plus, playing dual roles as Agasthya Singh Chaudhary and Surya Pratap Reddy. In June 2024, he participated as a contestant on Bigg Boss OTT Season 3, entering the show on June 21 and quickly becoming one of the top four finalists.
Web Series and Films
In addition to his television work, Rao has been involved in several web series and films. His web series appearances include "Three Half Bottles" (2019) on ZEE5, "Love Studio" (2020) on YouTube, "Lovely" (2021) on ShreyasET, and "Aham Bhramhasmi" (2021) on MX Player and Hungama Digital. He has also acted in Telugu films such as "Ajay Passayyadu" (2019) and "Pellikuturu Party."
Personal Life and Interests
Sai Ketan Rao is known for his dedication to fitness and has a background as a state-level boxer. Despite his initial corporate job, his passion for acting led him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He is also an entrepreneur, having founded his own film production company, Aurum Motion Pictures.
Awards and Recognition
Sai Ketan Rao has received several awards and nominations for his work in television. These include the IWMBuzz Style Awards 2021, the Indian Television Academy Awards, and the Iconic Gold Awards 2022. He has also been nominated for various categories in the Bollywood Life Awards.
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Recent Projects and Future Plans
Sai Ketan Rao continues to be an active figure in the entertainment industry. He has recently been involved in new projects, including collaborations with Shivangi Khedkar. There are also rumors of him joining the reboot of the iconic detective series "Suraag 2.0."
Sai Ketan Rao's Perspective
In an interview with India Forums, Sai Ketan Rao shared insights into his life and career. He mentioned that his mother is his biggest inspiration, teaching him valuable life lessons. Professionally, he admires Rajinikanth and hopes to have the opportunity to work with him. Rao also emphasized the importance of staying calm and focused amidst pressure. He expressed his desire to be remembered for the various characters he portrays, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
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