Sai Ketan Rao

Indian actor (born 1994)

  • Actor
Years active2016–presentKnown forMehndi Hai Rachne Waali

Sai Ketan Rao[1] (born 10 July 1994) [2][3][4] is an Indian actor. He is known for portraying the lead role of Raghav Rao[5][6] in StarPlus's Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali.[7][8][9]

He was then seen in Star Plus's Chashni as Raunaq Babbar (Reddy). He played the double lead role of Agasthya Singh Chaudhary[10][11] / Surya Pratap Reddy[12][13] in Star Plus' Imlie.[14]

Ketan's television debut was with Agni Sakshi.[15] He also worked in Hindi web series and a few Telugu web series. His web series include Three Half Bottles (2019) on ZEE5, Love Studio (2020) on YouTube, Lovely (2021) on ShreyasET, and Aham Bhramhasmi[16] (2021) on MX Player and Hungama Digital. He acted in Tollywood films such as Ajay Passayyadu (2019) and Strangers (2021) on Amazon Prime, and Mounam[17] (2020) on Aha.

Rao participated as a contestant on the reality TV show, Bigg Boss OTT Season 3. He entered the show on June 21, 2024 and became one of the top four finalists. The series is streamed on JioCinema Premium.[18]

Early life

Sai Ketan Rao[19] was born into a middle-class family in Lonavala, Maharashtra. His father is an architect from Maharashtra, while his mother is a nutritionist from Hyderabad.

He started his schooling in Solapur, Maharashtra but soon shifted to Pune, Maharashtra and finally settled down in Hyderabad, Telangana. He completed his tenth grade in Hyderabad from Vignan School and pursued B. Tech[20][21] in Computer Science from Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management. After completing his graduation, he completed his MBA[22] in System Operations from Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Hyderabad Campus.

Ketan was a state-level boxer until suffering an injury due to bike accident.[23]

Personal life

In June 2024, he talked about his troubled childhood while the live streaming of Bigg Boss OTT 3. He revealed that his father abandoned the family and his mother raised him and his younger sister as a single parent.[24][25]

Career

Rao worked for an Australian company after completing his education, but he had a strong inclination towards acting since childhood,[26] and joined Ramanaidu Film School. He started his acting career after completing theatre arts and worked on short films and feature films. He has a film production company by the name Aurum Motion Pictures.[27]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Language Channel Ref.
2017 Agni Sakshi Pratap Telugu Star Maa [28]
2021 Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali Raghav Rao / RR Hindi StarPlus [29]
2023 Chashni Raunaq Babbar (Reddy) [30][31]
2023–2024 Imlie Agasthya Singh Chaudhary [32][33]
Surya Pratap Reddy [34][35]
2024 Bigg Boss OTT 3 Contestant (4th Place) JioCinema [36]

Music videos

Year Title Production Singer Writer Starring Ref.
2022 Mashhoor Banegi AUM Studios Prateek Gandhi Ritika Chawla Shivangi Khedkar [37][38]
Ishq Ho Jayega Aurum Motion Pictures Ragini Mahajan [39][40][41]
2023 Phir Kabhi Minara Music Amit Mishra [42] Shabbir Ahmed & Lovely Singh Sanaya Pithawala [43][44][45]

Special appearances

Year(s) Title Role Language Channel Refs
2024 Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin Surya Pratap Reddy Hindi StarPlus [46]
Udne Ki Aasha

Films

Year Title Role Language Reference
2017 Nene Raju Nene Mantri Pellikoduku Telugu
2019 Ajay Passayyadu Vikram [47]
2019 Vykuntapali Abhi
2021 Strangers Varun
2021 Most Eligible Bachelor Harsha's Friend
2022 Pellikuturu Party Geeky Udey [48][49]
Vala Kabir [50]

Short films

Year Title Role Language Notes Reference
2016 Devil In Disguise Aryan Mishra Telugu Cameo
2017 Phasgaya Banda Antony Hindi Supporting
2018 Panileni Gang Telugu Lead
Malli Kothaga
Vadha
2019 My Dear Ravana Lakshman Villain
2020 Mounam Guest
Chuppi Hindi, Telugu
2022 aAh! Amar Hindi Cameo
The Final Act Telugu Demo

Web series

Year Title Role Language Platform Notes Reference
2019 Three Half Bottles Aditya Hindi Zee5 Lead
Beyond Breakup Telugu MX Player Guest
2020 Love Studio Nishant YouTube Lead
2021 Lovely Rohit
Aham Bhramhasmi Darsh Amazon Prime, MX Player
The Baker and The Beauty Rohan Kapoor Aha Cameo
2024 TBA Chinmay Hindi RVCJ Media Lead [51][52][53]

Accolades

Year Organizer Category Show Result Ref.
2021 IWMBuzz Style Awards Emerging Fashion Icon

(Male)

Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali Won [54]
2022 21st Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor

(Popular)

Nominated 
Top 20
[55]
Iconic Gold Awards Best Debut TV Actor of the Year

(Male)

Won [56][57]
14th Gold Awards Best Onscreen Jodi

(with Shivangi Khedkar)

Nominated [58]
Debut in a Lead Role (Male) Nominated
22nd Indian Television Academy Awards Popular Actor

- Drama TV

Nominated [59]
Bollywood Life Awards 2022 Best Breakthrough Star Won [60]
Best Social Media TV Couple

(with Shivangi Khedkar)

Nominated [61]
2023 23rd Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali Nominated [62]
Chashni Nominated
Grand Tycoon Global Achievers Awards

(Film Fare Middle East)

Emerging Talent of the Year Won
Mestarlet Excellence Awards 2023 Rising Actor of the Year - Male Imlie Won [63]
2024 24th Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor

(Popular)

Nominated [64]

References

  1. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao reveals why he changed his name - Times of India". The Times of India.
  2. ^ "Exclusive: Mehendi Hai Rachnewali fame Sai Ketan Rao, 'I did go through rejections; they broke me'". The Times of India.
  3. ^ "VIDEO: Sai Ketan Rao spills the beans about his role in Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali". India TV News. 16 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao making waves on Star Plus". Telangana Today. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  5. ^ "'I took inspiration from Agneepath for my role in Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali, says South Indian actor Sai Ketan Rao". Tribune India News Service. 16 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao: I am happy that people have accepted me as Raghav Rao in Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali". The Times of India. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Star Plus Premieres Modern Day Love Story 'Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali'". India West. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao on Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali wrapping up: I burst out crying while talking to my producer - Times of India". The Times of India.
  9. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao: I still don't know what went wrong with our show Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali that it was pulled off air suddenly - Times of India". The Times of India.
  10. ^ "Star Plus introduces Agasthya Upadhyay of Imlie season 3". Star Plus.
  11. ^ "Did you like Sai Ketan Rao's new look?". PINKVILLA.
  12. ^ "Star Plus introduces Surya Pratap Reddy in Imlie season 3". Star Plus.
  13. ^ "Exclusive! Agastya dies in the show; but I am not exiting Imlie: Sai Ketan Rao". Times Of India.
  14. ^ "Will Sai Ketan Rao and Adrija Roy enter the show after the leap?". ABP News.
  15. ^ "New serial Agni Sakshi to go on air on Star MAA from Dec 7, 2017 - Times of India". The Times of India.
  16. ^ ఆకట్టుకుంటున్న'అహం బ్రహ్మస్మి' ట్రైలర్‌. Sakshi (in Telugu). 17 July 2021.
  17. ^ "New voices for Creators' Summit". The Hindu. 16 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Bigg Boss OTT 3: When and where to watch..." Times of India/Bombay Times. Times Entertainment. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Actor Sai Ketan Rao talks about his latest Telugu film release and his name change". www.indulgexpress.com. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  20. ^ "I was not into dating during my engineering days: Sai Ketan Rao - Times of India". The Times of India.
  21. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao". The Times of India. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao: Did engineering, MBA as my parents' condition to pursue acting |Exclusive| | TV - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  23. ^ Service, Tribune News. "Sai Ketan Rao opens up on doing reality shows". Tribuneindia News Service.
  24. ^ "Bigg Boss OTT 3: Sai Ketan Rao Reveals Sleeping On Railway Tracks During Tough Times; Says 'After My Dad Left, Mom Faced Harassment From Her In-Laws'". The Times of India.
  25. ^ "Bigg Boss OTT 3: Exclusive! Sai Ketan Rao talks about his troubled childhood; says ' My father left us when I was...'". TellyChakkar.
  26. ^ "Exclusive Interview! Every rejection would break me but also made me a stronger person: Sai Ketan Rao - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Aurum Motion Pictures' official handle".
  28. ^ "The entertainment industry can play a stellar role in revising the mindset of people regarding women: Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali actor Sai Ketan Rao - Times of India". The Times of India.
  29. ^ Bureau, ABP News (28 October 2021). "CONFIRMED! Sai Ketan Rao, Shivangi Khedkar's 'Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali' To Go Off Air". news.abplive.com. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  30. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao to reunite with Sandiip Sikcand for his upcoming project". Tellychakkar. 16 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao and Sandiip Sikcand hint at a project together".
  32. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao to play the new lead in Imlie, the show takes a leap again!". Times of India. 18 August 2023.
  33. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao opens up on rumours of playing lead in 'Imlie' post leap".
  34. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao all set to thrill the audience with his second and 'massy' role on Imlie!". Urban Asian.
  35. ^ "After Agasthya's death, Sai Ketan Rao re-enters show as inspector Surya Reddy". PINKVILLA.
  36. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao to be locked in Bigg Boss OTT 3". Times of India.
  37. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao & Shivangi Khedkar's first music video titled "Mashhoor Banegi" released".
  38. ^ "Watch Popular Hindi Song Music Video - 'Mashhoor Banegi' Sung By Prateek Gandhi | Hindi Video Songs - Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  39. ^ ""Ishq Ho Jayega", Sai Ketan Rao & Shivangi Khedkar's second music video".
  40. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao and Shivangi Khedkar spotted shooting in Pune". timesofindia.com/etimes.
  41. ^ "Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali fame Sai Ketan Rao & Shivangi Khedkar collab for a music video titled 'Ishq Ho Jayega'". pinkvilla.com.
  42. ^ "Amit Mishra opens up on his new party banger 'Phir Kabhi'".
  43. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao set to dazzle in 'Phir Kabhi' music video".
  44. ^ "Fans will see me in a completely different look - Sai Ketan Rao on the song, 'Phir Kabhi'".
  45. ^ "Actors Sai Ketan Rao and Sanaya Pithawalla recently featured in a song composed by Shabbir Ahmed and sung by Amit Mishra".
  46. ^ "GHKPM Promo: Bhosale family welcomes Indira with Imlie and Surya at Ram Navmi event". PINKVILLA. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  47. ^ "Ajay Passayyadu: A tale directed at the parents of millennials - Times of India". The Times of India.
  48. ^ "'Pellikuturu Party' is going to be masala entertainer: Aparna Malladi". Telangana Today. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  49. ^ "Sai Ketan Rao talks about his upcoming project 'Pellikuturu Party' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  50. ^ "Web-series 'Aham Brahmasi' going to be released in theatres as 'Vala' on 25 November 2022".
  51. ^ "'Lovers' Sai Ketan Rao-Shivangi Khedkar Create Curiosity On Net With A Visual". ZOOM.
  52. ^ "Bigg Boss OTT 3's Sai Ketan Rao begins shooting for new project with rumored girlfriend Shivangi Khedkar". Pinkvilla.
  53. ^ "Bigg Boss OTT 3 Fame Sai Ketan Rao Reunites With Rumoured Girlfriend Shivangi Khedkar For A New Project; Shares An Adorable Picture With Her". The Times of India.
  54. ^ "Full Winner List: IWMBuzz Style Awards 2021". IWMBuzz. 20 August 2021.
  55. ^ "21st Indian Television Academy Awards'21". ITAA.
  56. ^ "Iconic Gold Awards 2022 held in Mumbai amid the presence of a galaxy of tinsel town celebrities". ANI News.
  57. ^ "Iconic Gold Awards 2022". Iconic Gold Awards.
  58. ^ "Voting begins". Gold Awards.
  59. ^ "Voting begins". ITAA.
  60. ^ "BL Awards 2022 Winners: Ranveer, Rohit, Rupali, Tejasswi and more celebs take home the trophy". Bollywood Life. 25 March 2022.
  61. ^ "BL Awards'22". Bollywood Life.
  62. ^ "Voting begins". ITAA.
  63. ^ "MEA '23".
  64. ^ "Voting begins". ITAA.
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