Quick answer: Rahul Roy is an Indian film actor who shot to fame with Mahesh Bhatt’s romantic musical Aashiqui (1990), opposite Anu Aggarwal. He was the first winner of the Hindi reality show Bigg Boss, taking the season 1 title on 26 January 2007 with Carol Gracias as runner-up. He has kept acting since a brain stroke in 2020, with film releases in 2023.
Who is Rahul Roy?
Rahul Roy is a Hindi film actor best remembered for Aashiqui, a major musical hit of 1990. He became a romantic lead of the early 1990s, appearing in a run of films in 1991 to 1993, and later returned to public attention as the first-ever winner of Bigg Boss.
Rahul Roy: profile at a glance
- Name: Rahul Roy
- Born: 9 February, according to his Wikipedia entry and IMDb profile, which give the year as 1966. Some other profiles give 1968, so his exact age is not settled.
- Birthplace: sources differ. An earlier version of this article said New Delhi; his Wikipedia entry says Bombay (now Mumbai).
- Parents: Deepak Roy and Indira Roy
- Occupation: actor
- Debut film: Aashiqui (1990)
- Known for: Aashiqui; winner of Bigg Boss season 1
An earlier version of this article gave his age as 50 (as of 2016) and listed his height, weight and hair and eye colour. Those details were out of date or unverifiable and have been removed.
A note on Rahul Roy and Rohit Roy
An earlier version of this article said Rahul Roy is a twin and is 25 minutes older than “his brother Rohit Roy”. His IMDb profile does list a twin brother named Rohit, but notes that he is not the actor Rohit Roy. Sources also disagree on which twin is older, so we have not repeated the claim about birth order.
Aashiqui and the 1990s
Rahul Roy made his debut in Aashiqui (1990), directed by Mahesh Bhatt, playing opposite newcomer Anu Aggarwal. The film’s soundtrack was a major success and made him a household name.
In the years after Aashiqui he worked steadily, including Pyaar Ka Saaya (1991), Sapne Sajan Ke, Junoon, Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare and Ghazab Tamasha (all 1992), and Jaanam, Gumrah, Pehla Nasha and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (all 1993). An earlier version of this article said he signed only “2-3 movies” after Aashiqui; his filmography shows many more.
Bigg Boss season 1 winner
The first season of Bigg Boss, the Indian version of the international Big Brother format, ran from 3 November 2006 to 26 January 2007, with Arshad Warsi as host. Rahul Roy was declared the winner by public vote on 26 January 2007, with model Carol Gracias as runner-up. The prize money listed for that season is ₹1 crore.
He was followed as winner by Ashutosh Kaushik (Bigg Boss 2). For every season, see our list of Bigg Boss winners and the Bigg Boss contestant list for each season.
Rahul Roy films
| Year | Films |
|---|---|
| 1990 | Aashiqui |
| 1991 | Pyaar Ka Saaya |
| 1992 | Sapne Sajan Ke, Junoon, Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare, Ghazab Tamasha |
| 1993 | Jaanam, Gumrah, Pehla Nasha, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee |
| 1996 | Majhdhaar |
| 1999 | Phir Kabhi |
| 2000 | Tune Mera Dil Le Liyaa |
| 2001 | Afsana Dilwalon Ka |
| 2006 | Naughty Boy, Rafta Rafta – The Speed, Bipasha |
| 2010 | Crime Partner, Ada… A Way of Life |
| 2015 | 2B or Not 2B |
| 2023 | Walk, Agra |
He also appeared in Baarish, which published filmographies list without a confirmed year. An earlier version of this article gave the 2015 film’s title as “2B or not to B Nikhil”; it is 2B or Not 2B.
Health: 2020 brain stroke
In 2020 Rahul Roy suffered a brain stroke while shooting a film in Kargil, Ladakh, and was treated in hospital before being discharged to continue his recovery. He has since returned to work, with Walk and Agra released in 2023.
Personal life
Rahul Roy married Rajlakshmi Khanvilkar in 2000. The couple divorced in 2014. An earlier version of this article added a rumour about the reasons for the divorce and his later relationships. That was speculation, and it has been removed.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first winner of Bigg Boss?
Rahul Roy won the first season of Bigg Boss on 26 January 2007. Carol Gracias was the runner-up and Arshad Warsi hosted the season.
What was Rahul Roy’s first film?
Aashiqui (1990), directed by Mahesh Bhatt, opposite Anu Aggarwal.
Is Rahul Roy the brother of actor Rohit Roy?
No. His IMDb profile lists a twin brother named Rohit, but notes that he is not the actor Rohit Roy.
What happened to Rahul Roy in 2020?
He suffered a brain stroke while filming in Kargil in 2020. He recovered enough to return to acting, with two film releases in 2023.
How old is Rahul Roy?
If the commonly cited birth date of 9 February 1966 is right, he is 60 as of October 2026. Some profiles give 1968 instead, so treat any exact age with caution.
Details checked in October 2026 against his Wikipedia entry and filmography, his IMDb profile, the Bigg Boss season records and December 2020 press reports of his discharge from hospital. Rumours and unverifiable personal details have been removed.
