Rakesh Pandey (9 April 1940 – 21 March 2025) was a veteran Indian actor whose long and versatile career spanned Hindi cinema, Nepali Cinema, Bhojpuri films, and television. He trained at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and began his film journey with the acclaimed Basu Chatterjee drama Sara Akash in 1969, for which he won early praise.
Pandey appeared in numerous Hindi films across decades, including roles in Mera Rakshak, Yehi Hai Zindagi, Dil Chahta Hai, Devdas, Indian, and Black. He was also a major figure in Bhojpuri cinema, starring in hits such as Balam Pardesia and Bhaiya Dooj. On television, he appeared in series like Chotti Bahu and Dehleez.
In Bansuri (1981), Pandey played a leading role in this early Nepali film directed by Tulsi Ghimire, helping bridge his work into wider South Asian cinema.
Pandey passed away in Mumbai in 2025 due to cardiac arrest, leaving behind a legacy of rich and varied performances across film industries.
