After years of silence, Shweta Tiwari's ex-husband, Raja Chaudhary, confesses to what he regrets most

Raja Chaudhary, a familiar face from the reality show Bigg Boss 2, is preparing to turn over a new leaf in his acting journey. The performer has recently secured a significant part in the acclaimed historical comedy series Tenali Rama, where he will portray the character of Chaudapa Raya.

Over the years, Raja has often attracted media attention, not just for his professional endeavors but more so for his turbulent personal life, including his much-publicized divorce from actress Shweta Tiwari and his longstanding struggle with alcohol dependency.

In a candid conversation with ETimesTV, Raja reflected on how the controversies surrounding his life have taken a toll on his acting prospects. He expressed that he believes he hasn't received work in proportion to his talent, largely due to the unfavorable image painted by the media. “I don’t think I’ve received the amount of work I deserve, probably because of the negative publicity surrounding me. People who have never met me assume that I am always causing difficulties," he said. “ If I truly caused difficulties, why would the creators of Tenali Rama bring me back? Yes, I suffered professionally as a result of how people perceived me.”

Addressing his battle with alcohol, Raja revealed that he has maintained sobriety for several years now. He shared that while alcoholism was once a significant hurdle, he managed to steer himself away from it by channeling his energy into something constructive—pickleball.

The sport became a therapeutic outlet, keeping him mentally engaged and providing the structure he needed during recovery. Raja acknowledged that the journey hasn't been easy, admitting that each day presents its own set of challenges. However, since achieving sobriety in 2021, he has found himself thinking more clearly, feeling more at peace, and experiencing a sense of genuine happiness.

He also credited his family, especially his parents, for playing a crucial role in his path to recovery. According to Raja, their disapproval of his drinking was a turning point. Realizing the emotional impact his addiction had on them made him reevaluate his choices. “Ultimately, you live for your family,” he said, when they have a problem with you, you understand you need to change. I was able to work on myself after accepting my mistakes and deciding to surrender. My family has been there for me through it all, supplying moral support. If I could change one thing about my past, I would never have consumed alcohol. It disturbed my life, and I didn’t handle the situations I should have.”

Speaking fondly of his daughter Palak Tiwari—his child with Shweta Tiwari—Raja mentioned that they still stay connected. “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,” he shared warmly.

Raja and Shweta were married in 1998. Their marriage ended in 2007, with Shweta citing domestic violence and Raja’s alcohol issues as reasons for the separation. Their daughter Palak made her film debut in 2023 alongside Salman Khan in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.