From Bollywood Stardom to Wedding Performances
A recent video featuring Rahul Roy, the iconic star of the 1990 musical romance Aashiqui, has taken social media by storm and ignited passionate discussions about celebrity careers and survival in the entertainment industry. The footage shows the actor recreating his famous performance from the classic film at a wedding ceremony in Bikramganj, Bihar, wearing a black suit and sporting long hair reminiscent of his breakthrough role.
The Viral Performance That Divided Opinions
In the now-viral clip from November 29, 2025, Rahul Roy can be seen playing guitar and lip-syncing to the iconic Aashiqui title track on stage. Wedding hosts stand behind him, encouraging guests to cheer and sing along. During his performance, the actor even pauses to greet attendees from the stage before continuing his act, showing a level of engagement that some found endearing while others viewed it as a sign of career decline.
The internet response has been sharply divided. One section of social media users expressed disappointment and sadness at seeing the former star performing at weddings to sustain his livelihood. "Some artists rise. Some... dissolve. Fame exposes character," commented one X user, capturing the sentiment of those who saw the video as evidence of faded glory.
Another user remarked, "Funny, but also a reminder that fame is temporary and some people struggle to stay in the limelight they once had," while a third simply stated, "Feeling bad for him. Once a star and a winner of Big Boss season 1."
Defending the Actor's Professional Choices
However, a significant portion of netizens rushed to Rahul Roy's defense, praising his professionalism and resilience. "I see a man talented enough to still get paid for his skills. I see a man humble enough to not judge an opportunity by its size. I see a man. What do you see?," wrote one supporter, highlighting the positive aspects of the situation.
Another user made a pointed comparison to bigger stars, commenting, "He is doing what he knows best to survive in life. Not everyone can be a SRK or Ranveer to dance in High profile marriages," referencing the recent performances of Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh at the lavish Udaipur wedding of billionaire Rama Raju Mantena's daughter.
A third supporter offered practical perspective: "Unlike other sport or occupations, post retirement there is still residual income. Plus it feels good to still have fans for your past block buster work. Would happily embrace it. Been a part of the industry in the past."
The video also sparked some humorous comparisons, with users noting Rahul's recreated Aashiqui look resembled popular Hollywood characters like Keanu Reeves' assassin John Wick and Severus Snape from the Harry Potter franchise.
Rahul Roy's Career Journey and Recent Work
Rahul Roy's career trajectory has seen significant highs and challenging lows. After breaking out as the leading man in Mahesh Bhatt's seminal 1990 film Aashiqui, he became one of Hindi cinema's most sought-after actors, though he never quite replicated his initial success. He made a notable comeback by winning the inaugural season of the popular reality show Bigg Boss in 2007.
The actor faced a major health setback when he suffered a brain stroke in 2020, which significantly derailed his career. Recently, he appeared in a supporting role in Kanu Behl's critically acclaimed independent film Agra, which had a limited theatrical release earlier in November 2025.
The viral wedding performance has highlighted the unpredictable nature of show business and sparked important conversations about how society views celebrities who continue to work in different capacities long after their peak fame period.
