06 July,2026 02:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Riteish Deshmukh. Pic via Instagram
Actor Riteish Deshmukh got candid about the struggles he faced at the start of his Bollywood career, revealing that he was constantly judged for being the son of Maharashtra's then Chief Minister rather than for his talent. The actor, who currently co-hosts Netflix's Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, shared the personal anecdote while encouraging contestant Yogesh Rawat, who broke down over being labelled a "cheater" without people knowing his side of the story.
During the latest episode, Yogesh admitted that the tag had deeply affected both him and his family. He recalled how Kangana Ranaut called him a "cheater" on the show, saying that people had accepted the narrative without knowing the complete truth.
He added that the situation had become so painful that his mother confessed she no longer felt comfortable stepping out with her head held high because of the perception surrounding him.
Responding to Yogesh, Riteish explained that guests on the show often voice what audiences outside may already be thinking, but reminded him that perceptions can change over time.
"We all have gone through this phase," Riteish said. "When I did my first film, my father was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. When I debuted, everyone said, 'His father is the CM, that's why he gets work, and that's why his films do well.' Guzra hoon main."
The actor stressed that while labels may seem permanent, determination and consistent work eventually help people move beyond them.
"Twenty-three years and 60 films later, I am standing in front of you today after breaking all those tags. Breaking some tags takes time and effort, but once you are determined, they do break," he added.
Riteish is the son of late Vilasrao Deshmukh and made his acting debut with Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. Over the years, he carved a niche for himself with comedy hits like Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, Heyy Babyy, Dhamaal and the Housefull franchise, proving himself as one of Bollywood's dependable entertainers.
Most recently, Riteish tasted massive success with Raja Shivaji, which he directed and produced. The historical drama emerged as the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time, collecting over Rs 100 crore worldwide.
Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, hosted by Riteish alongside Farah Khan, streams on Netflix from Saturday to Thursday at 8 pm, with celebrities competing inside a high-pressure jail-like environment while confronting public perceptions and personal truths.
