In a heartwarming start to 2026, Bollywood and web series star Kirti Kulhari surprised her fans and the industry by publicly announcing her relationship with fellow actor Rajeev Siddhartha. The announcement, made via a joint Instagram post on New Year's Day, has sparked immense curiosity about Siddhartha, a talented performer with a fascinating career pivot behind him.
From Dhanbad to Drama: Rajeev Siddhartha's Unconventional Path
Rajeev Siddhartha was born in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, and received his early education at prestigious boarding schools in Mussoorie and Dehradun. A stellar academic record saw him graduate with a degree in Economics from Delhi's renowned St. Stephen's College, followed by a Master's in Business Management. He embarked on a successful career as an investment banker, a field far removed from the glitz of cinema.
However, a sense of creative void persisted. Despite his professional success in finance, Siddhartha felt a pull towards the performing arts. This led to a significant career shift, where he traded balance sheets for scripts, marking a bold leap into the uncertain world of acting.
Theatre Beginnings and Steady Rise in Films & OTT
Rajeev's acting foundation was built on the stage. He made his theatre debut in Mohan Rakesh's classic play 'Adhe Adhure', earning critical praise. He honed his craft through extensive tours, performing across various cities and countries.
His screen journey began in 2007 with Manish Tiwary's film 'Dil Dosti Etc'. Juggling his MBA studies in Mumbai with auditions, he steadily built a diverse and impressive portfolio. Audiences have seen him in notable projects like the thriller series '24', the courtroom drama 'Jolly LLB', the web series 'Hundred', and the startup-centric film 'Upstarts'.
In 2024, he starred opposite Sobhita Dhulipala in the film 'Love, Sitara', which was well-received by critics. His consistent work across platforms has established him as a reliable and versatile performer in the industry.
The On-Screen Spark That Ignited Real-Life Romance
The couple's connection has its roots in their professional collaboration. Both Rajeev Siddhartha and Kirti Kulhari were part of the popular Amazon Prime Video series, 'Four More Shots Please!'. In the show, Rajeev played the character Mihir Shah, while Kirti portrayed the lead role of Anjana Menon.
Their on-screen chemistry evidently blossomed into a genuine off-screen bond. The relationship was revealed to the world on January 1, 2026, when the duo posted a picture together on Instagram with the caption: “A picture is worth a thousand words… #happynewyear #happy2026 everyone….”
On the work front, Kirti Kulhari was last seen in Himesh Reshammiya's film 'Badass Ravi Kumar'. Meanwhile, Rajeev Siddhartha continues to select diverse roles that showcase his range, moving seamlessly from his corporate past to a fulfilling creative present.
