Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Rajesh Kumar’s Farming Journey Leaves Debt, Brings Hard-Won Lessons
Rajesh Kumar is an actor famous for playing Rosesh in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.
In 2017, he stopped acting for a while and went to his hometown to try farming.
He said Sadhguru’s ideas encouraged him to understand farmers’ problems by becoming a farmer himself.
Kumar tried planting trees and growing crops, but many difficult things happened.
A rare flood destroyed his first plantation, and the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted another effort.
Later, he paid to drill a 500-foot borewell but found no water.
These problems and a lack of income left him with about Rs 2 crore in debt.
He even sold vegetables outside his son’s school during the hardest period.
Kumar said spirituality helped him stay calm and that he sees the experience as a learning opportunity rather than simply a failure.
Actor Rajesh Kumar left acting in 2017 and returned to Gaya, Bihar, to pursue farming.
His decision was influenced by Sadhguru’s teachings and his involvement with the Rally for Rivers campaign.
A rare flood, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a failed 500-foot borewell disrupted his agricultural efforts.
The venture left Kumar with about Rs 2 crore in debt and no steady income, prompting him to sell vegetables outside his son’s school.
Kumar later said his outstanding debt had fallen to around Rs 20 lakh, or 10–15% of the original amount.
- Who
- Actor Rajesh Kumar, known for playing Rosesh in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, and spiritual leader Sadhguru.
- What
- Kumar left acting to pursue farming and horticulture, accumulated about Rs 2 crore in debt, and later reduced the outstanding amount to around Rs 20 lakh.
- When
- Kumar left acting in 2017; his farming journey lasted nearly five years, and he discussed the reduced debt in April.
- Where
- Kumar pursued farming in his hometown of Gaya, Bihar.
- Why
- He said Sadhguru’s teachings and his understanding of farmers’ challenges led him to experience agriculture firsthand.
Kumar’s Perspective
Financial and Operational Reality
Whether the venture was a failure
Kumar’s Perspective
Kumar does not want to label the farming experience as a failure, emphasizing the learning and personal growth it provided.
Financial and Operational Reality
The venture involved repeated setbacks, destroyed plantations, failed access to groundwater, lost money, and about Rs 2 crore in debt.
Role of spirituality
Kumar’s Perspective
Kumar said spirituality kept him from anxiety, depression, frustration, and anger, allowing him to continue his efforts.
Financial and Operational Reality
The articles describe severe financial pressure, no steady income, depleted reserves, and a period when Kumar struggled to generate money for basic survival.
- Acting break
- Rajesh Kumar left acting in 2017.
- Farming location
- He pursued farming in Gaya, Bihar.
- Initial debt
- Kumar said the farming venture left him with about Rs 2 crore in debt.
- Remaining debt
- He later said around Rs 20 lakh, or 10–15% of the original debt, remained.
- Major setbacks
- A flood described as occurring after nearly 35 years, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an unsuccessful 500-foot borewell affected his efforts.
- Trees planted
- Kumar said he planted another 15,000 trees after his first plantation was destroyed.
- Income during hardship
- He sold vegetables outside his son’s school while facing financial difficulties.
Sources
Rajesh Kumar Left Acting On Sadhguru's Advice, Took Up Farming And Landed In Rs 2 Crore Debt
‘I won’t call it failure’: Rajesh Kumar on quitting acting for farming after Sadhguru’s advice, facing ₹2 crore debt
