Riju Bajaj

Born in Delhi on 8th December, son of shri Ram Gopal Bajaj & Late shrimati Chandrakala Khemchand Prakash. Riju gave up completing graduation midway to pursue acting career and left his home to be in Bombay in 1990. In 1979, Riju had attended India's first theatre workshop for children hosted by national school of drama Delhi. Riju started his acting career at an early age of 11 years when he performed in a stage play 'Kya Yeh Sach Bol Raha Hai' in 1980 designed by NSD undergraduates. He soon took up tv serials and became popular with Lekhu, a story about a aspiring scientist hailing from a poor family who succeeds against all tides. His major work got him noticed in Tamas, directed by Govind Nihalani, for which he was nominated for best supporting actor in national awards in 1988 and it helped him gain confidence of other film makers like Amol Palekar who cast him in his film Thoda Sa Roomani Ho Jayen and Shyamm Benegal took him in his films Antarnaad & Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda which consolidated his position as a good actor. He was very popular with his tv show Humraahi where he played a bratish biographical character who also leaves his home to pursue acting career. While shooting for the India's first reality serial - 'The Mating Game Show' directed by Govind Nihalani for BITV, Riju realised that he wanted to be a director and shared his thoughts with Mr. Govind Nihalani who offered to take him as his assistant in his next film Sanshodhan. Riju also assisted him in Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa. later, While learning the ropes of the trade with Gyan Sahay, Virender Saini and Deepa Mehta, Riju branched out as an independent director with popular tv series India's Most Wanted. His next tv series for etv urdu - Phir Bhi became a channel flagship and established him as a promising director. In 2005 Riju co-wrote and was associate director for the feature film Yun Hota To Kya Hota [directed by Naseeruddin Shah]. In 2005, Riju joined B.A.G Films as creative head for tv series. In 2007, Riju joined the core team of Fox Tv Studios India Pvt . Ltd as creative director and development manager. In 2011, Riju joined Hema Malini Media & Entertainment as Creative Head for Tv series Maati Ki Banno. In 2012, Riju joined Swastik Productions as Creative Director for Tv series Mahabharat. In 2017, Riju established his second international film festival known as LIFFT India Filmotsav-World Cine Fest in Lonavla Riju is currently active on both the sides of the camera as an actor and director.