Vijendra Ghatke, once remembered as one of Hindi cinema’s most handsome and talented actors, lived a life filled with royal privilege, dreams, and ultimately, heartbreak. His journey from Indore’s royal family to the silver screen is a tale of both promise and tragedy.

Royal Beginnings

Born into the royal family of Indore, Vijendra was surrounded by luxury and tradition. His father, Fateh Singh Rao Dattaji Rao Ghatke, was the Jagirdar of Kagal under the Maratha Empire, while his mother, Sita Devi, was the daughter of the King of Indore. Raised in palatial homes and attended by servants, Vijendra began his education in Indore before moving to Mumbai, where he earned a B.Com. (Honors) degree from Sydenham College of Commerce.

The Bollywood Dream

Despite his family’s expectations that he would take over the family business, Vijendra was bitten by the acting bug during his college days in Mumbai. He started modeling and quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most sought-after faces in the industry during the 1970s. His family, though initially shocked by his decision to pursue acting, eventually relented.

Vijendra enrolled at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune to hone his craft. Soon after, renowned director Basu Chatterjee noticed him and offered him a significant role. However, this turned out to be Vijendra’s first major mistake—he accepted a second lead role in Rajshri Productions’ film “Chitchor” (1976), while Amol Palekar played the main lead. Though the film was a hit, it became synonymous with Palekar, and Vijendra was typecast as a supporting actor.

Career Missteps and Downfall

Hoping to build his career, Vijendra accepted another second lead role in Rajshri’s “Sunayana” (1979). Despite the film’s success, he found himself stuck with the label of a side hero. Even after acting in several A-grade movies like “Agar,” “Dhanwan,” “Humse Badhkar Kaun,” and “Aakhri Insaaf,” he could not break into lead roles. Disheartened, Vijendra started accepting lead roles in B-grade films, none of which brought him lasting fame.

Realizing he could not establish himself as a hero, Vijendra turned to negative roles. In 1978, he was praised for his villainous turn as Kundan Ghanshyam Das in an Amitabh Bachchan starrer. He later played negative characters in films like “Jyoti” (with Dharmendra), “Prem Rog” (by Raj Kapoor), and “Razia Sultan” (by Kamal Amrohi).

Personal Tragedies

Just as his career as a villain was gaining momentum, Vijendra’s personal life was struck by two devastating tragedies. First, his beloved younger sister Sangeeta, an Air India air hostess, died in a terrorist bombing of her flight in 1984. The loss shattered Vijendra, plunging him into deep depression and affecting his career.

Soon after, his wife, actress and model Nikki Walia, left him for actor Dan Dhanoa, marrying him in 1986. These back-to-back blows left Vijendra emotionally broken.

A Shift to Television

With his film career floundering, Vijendra turned to television. In 1986, he gained recognition for his role as Lala Brijbhan in Ramesh Sippy’s TV serial “Buniyaad.” He also appeared in shows like “Talaash,” “Singhasan Battisi,” and “Junoon.” Few know that B.R. Chopra initially wanted Vijendra to play Bhishma in the epic TV series “Mahabharat,” but Vijendra declined, not wanting to appear old on screen. The role eventually went to Mukesh Khanna.

Later Years and Legacy

Vijendra made a rare film appearance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Devdas” (2002), playing Bhavan Chaudhary, the husband of Aishwarya Rai’s character. Contrary to popular belief, Sagarika Ghatge (of “Chak De! India” fame) is not his daughter; her father was Vijay Ghatke, a distant relative of Vijendra.

In the late 1980s, Vijendra lived with renowned painter Tilottama from Gwalior, and they had a daughter in 1988.

By 2011, Vijendra had faded from the limelight and reportedly settled in Indore, dedicating himself to social work, particularly keeping the city clean. Despite his royal lineage, he never lacked for money, but luck never favored his dream of becoming a superstar.

Vijendra Ghatke’s story is a poignant reminder that in the world of cinema, talent and looks are sometimes not enough—fate plays its own role.

Which Vijendra Ghatke movie or character do you remember? Share your memories in the comments! If you enjoyed this story, like and subscribe to our channel for more untold tales from the world of cinema.