Raja Chaudhary: I suffered professionally due to the perception others had of me

Raja Chaudhary, who was part of the first season of Tenali Rama, returned to the ongoing season in a new role as Chaudapa Raya. The actor, who was last seen in Kaisa Hai Yeh Rishta Anjaana last year, shares, “I was happy, and it was great to reconnect with the old unit and friends.”
He acknowledges that being open about his personal life - he was earlier married to actress Shweta Tiwari - and past controversies may have cost him work opportunities. He says, “I don’t feel I’ve had the amount of work I truly deserve, possibly due to the negative publicity surrounding me. People who have never even met me assume I am always creating problems. If I really caused problems, why would the makers of Tenali Rama bring me back? Yes, I suffered professionally due to the perception others had of me.”
On a personal note, Raja, who battled alcoholism, shares that he has been sober for a while now. “Alcoholism was a major issue in my life, but I realised it much later. I was able to overcome it by focusing on something positive — pickleball. I immersed myself in the sport, which kept me busy and helped me fight my addiction. Thankfully, I’ve overcome it, though it remains a daily challenge. I have to push myself to stay on track. Since 2021, I’ve been living a sober life, and I can think more clearly, stay calmer, and be happier now.Sobriety has given me a broader, more positive outlook on life. When you’re not sober, your mind doesn’t function as it should, and you make decisions that you might regret later.”
He credits his family for being a strong source of support during his recovery. He says, “My parents were uncomfortable with my alcoholism. Ultimately, you live for your family, and when they’re not happy with you, it makes you realise you need to change. Once I acknowledged my mistakes and decided to surrender, I was able to work on myself. My family has been with me through it all, offering their moral support. If I could change one thing about my past, it would be never to have touched alcohol.It disrupted my life, and I didn’t handle situations the way I should have.”
Having gone through two failed marriages — one with actress Shweta Tiwari and another with Delhi-based corporate professional Shveta Sood — Raja is not looking for love or marriage at the moment. He says, “Although I am not averse to love and marriage, it’s not something I’m planning right now. Maybe when it’s meant to happen, it will. Let’s see.”
Regarding his relationship with his daughter, actress Palak Tiwari, from his first marriage, he says, “We stay in touch. She reaches out whenever she gets time from her busy schedule, and I do the same. I’m very proud of her.”