When Shweta Tiwari's ex-husband Raja Chaudhary revealed how alcoholism affected his professional life and lost out on work opportunities

Actor Raja Chaudhary, known for his early work in shows like Tenali Rama and his public marriage with actress Shweta Tiwari, once candidly spoke about the personal struggles that impacted his professional life. In a heartfelt throwback interview, Raja reflected on his journey of recovery and rebuilding.

Raja recently returned to the newer season of Tenali Rama in a different role as Chaudapa Raya. Speaking about the experience, he had told Bombay Times, “I was happy, and it was great to reconnect with the old unit and friends.” However, the path leading to that comeback wasn’t an easy one.

The actor admitted that the controversies from his personal life had cast a long shadow over his acting career. “I don’t feel I’ve had the amount of work I truly deserve, possibly due to the negative publicity surrounding me,” he said. “People who have never even met me assume I’m always creating problems. If that were true, why would the makers of Tenali Rama bring me back?”

Raja also revealed how alcoholism contributed to his professional downfall. “Alcoholism was a major issue in my life, but I realised it much later,” he shared. “I lost a lot of time and opportunities because of it.”

But the turning point came when he discovered a new passion — pickleball. “It gave me something to focus on. It kept me busy and helped me fight the addiction,” Raja said. Since 2021, he’s been living a sober life. “Sobriety has changed the way I think. I can stay calmer and be more mindful now. When you’re not sober, your mind doesn’t work right, and you end up making choices you regret.”