Rajesh Tailang is an Indian actor known for his work in films and web series. He received a nomination for Best Actor at the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards for his performance in the film Siddharth.

In addition to acting, Tailang is also a poet. He is the brother of the late cartoonist Sudhir Tailang.

Early and personal life

Tailang was born in Bikaner, Rajasthan, to Shrikrishna Tailang. His brother, the late Sudhir Tailang, was a noted political cartoonist and a recipient of the Padma Shri. Tailang is an alumnus of the National School of Drama. Tailang married Shalini Yadav in 2000. The couple later divorced in 2016. They have one son.

Career

Early work (1994–2007)

Tailang began his acting career in 1994 with DD National's first daily soap, Shanti – Ek Ghar Ki Kahani. His first film appearance was in Govind Nihalani's Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa. He went on to appear in films such as Jayate, Thakshak, Dev, Mangal Pandey, and Amal, along with several television serials and telefilms.

Mainstream success (2013–present)

In 2013, Tailang gained mainstream recognition with the film Siddharth, directed by Richie Mehta, for which he received a nomination for Best Actor at the Canadian Screen Awards. The film received positive reviews from international critics, who particularly praised Tailang's performance.

In 2015, he appeared in several notable projects, including Umrika, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Phantom.

He further expanded his filmography with roles in Omerta, Mukkabaaz, Haseena Parkar, and Aiyaari. His portrayal of Ramakant Pandit in the web series Mirzapur, Mohan Kumar in Selection Day, Bhupendra Singh in Delhi Crime, and Rajendra Rathore in Bandish Bandits brought him wide recognition in the OTT space.

He later appeared in films such as Commando 3, Panga, Comedy Couple, Pagglait, Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2 – Agni Pariksha, Chhatriwali, and Ulajh.

Tailang has also featured in several web series, including Rangbaaz, Dahan, Crackdown, and Trial by Fire.

Book

Tailang authored the poetry collection Chaand Pe Chai, published by Vani Prakashan in 2022.

Filmography

Key
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997…JayateAdvocate Nayyer
1998Hazaar Chaurasi Ki MaaSomu's Father
1999ThakshakRandheer
2004DevACP Waman Bhonsle
2005Mangal Pandey: The RisingBrahmin Sepoy of India
2007AmalDhaba Owner
2013SiddharthMahendra Saini
2015UmrikaPostman
The Second Best Exotic Marigold HotelBabul
PhantomRaw Agent Alok
2017Haseena ParkarAdvocate Shyam Keswani
2018OmertaGeneral Mahmood
MukkabaazShravan's Father
AiyaaryBrigadier K Srinivas
2019Commando 3Roy
2020PangaNational Coach Sinha
Comedy CoupleMukesh
2021PagglaitTarunNetflix Release
AndamanUPSC Interview panel chairmanOpen Theater
2022Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2 – Agni ParikshaTV News Reporter Ravi Kumar
2023ChhatriwaliRajan Kalra
2024KookiDhanajay Mishra
UlajhSalim Sayeed

Short films

YearFilmsRoleDirector
2015Mast QalandarMasterDivij Roopchand
2016Zoya (Short)ZoologistSahirr Sethhi
2024Ek KadamMahendra SolankiRajeev Upadhyay

Web series

YearTitleRolePlatform
1995ShantiManuDoordarshan
2018–presentMirzapurRamakant PanditAmazon Prime Video
2018Selection DayMohan KumarNetflix
2019–presentDelhi CrimeBhupender Singh
2020CrackdownAshvini RaoVoot
Bandish BanditsRajendraAmazon Prime Video
2021DhindoraParshadYouTube
2022Dahan: Raakan Ka RahasyaParimal SinghDisney+ Hotstar
RangbaazMukul KumarZee5
2023Trial By FireVeer SinghNetflix
2024Gaanth Chapter 1 - Jamnaa PaarTrilok MishraJioCinema
2025Bada Naam KarengeRajesh JaiswalSonyLiv
Crime BeatDCP Uday KumarZEE5
BakaitiSanjay Kataria

Awards and nominations

YearAwardFilm/webCategoryResultRef.
2014Canadian Screen AwardsSiddharthActor in a Leading RoleNominated
2022Filmfare OTT AwardsRangbaazBest Supporting Actor (Drama)Nominated

External links