Raj Kiran Mahtani
is a well-known Bollywood actor. He started his film career with Kaagaz Ki Nao, directed by BR Ishara. Over the years, he acted in many famous movies made by top filmmakers, making him a popular name in India. Some of his hit films include Shikshaa, Maan Abhiman, Ek Naya Rishta,
Karz
, Baseraa, Arth, Raaj Tilak, and Justice Chaudhary. Besides films, he also appeared in TV shows like Reporter, Aakhir Kaun, and Aahat.
A Star Who Vanished from the Spotlight
Raj was active in films mainly during the 1970s and 1980s and acted in over 100 movies during that time. Many film critics and gossip columns have said that after facing setbacks in his career, he went into depression and also faced problems in his personal life. However, the actor suddenly disappeared from the film world and people lost track of him.
Somy Ali's Unwavering 20-Year Search
Bollywood star Salman Khan's ex-girlfriend, Somy Ali, runs a US-based non-profit called No More Tears, which helps stop human trafficking and domestic violence. According to a report published in BollywoodShaadis.com, when she heard about Raj Kiran’s case, she promised Rishi Kapoor that she would find him. Sadly, despite searching for 20 years—spending her own money and even borrowing from her mother—she couldn’t find him. She said, “I promised Rishi Kapoor I’d never stop looking for Raj Kiran. I travelled to different states trying to find him, so Chintu ji could rest in peace. He and another actress also tried, but we couldn't locate him.”
A Quiet Family Life Before the Disappearance
The Karz actor married a woman named Roopa during his successful years in Bollywood. The couple had a quiet and happy life with their two daughters, Rishika and Mannat Mahtani. Despite Raj’s fame in the 70s and 80s, Roopa and their daughters stayed away from media attention and rarely attended award functions.
Sadly, when Raj fell into depression after his acting career declined, his personal life was also affected. As per reports, after his sudden disappearance, his wife Roopa eventually remarried. She is now known as Roopa Mashruwala and is said to be living a new life with her second husband.
Daughter Rishika Mahtani Speaks Out
In 2011, the couple's daughter Rishika Mahtani, spoke publicly about her father’s disappearance and shared emotional details. She clarified that reports of him being treated in a hospital in Atlanta were untrue. Rishika revealed that the family had been searching for him for over eight years, involving the New York police and even hiring private detectives, but with no success. She described Raj Kiran as a loving father who had shown signs of mental illness before he went missing. She added, “We wanted to handle this privately, but false reports made me speak out. It’s completely unfair to my mother.”