Rajesh Vivek Upadhyay was an acclaimed Indian stage and film actor who had appeared in over 70 films acting in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema since the late 1970s. He was perhaps best known for his roles in the multi-award-winning Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), Swades (2004), and Jodhaa Akbar (2008). All three movies were directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. He is also remembered for his earlier roles in Raj Kapoor's blockbuster final film Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), the Ramsay brothers' cult horror film Veerana (1988) in which he plays a priest, and Shekhar Kapur massively acclaimed Bandit Queen (1994) as well as the popular TV series Mahabharat (1988). He was also nominated for his role on Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) by the International Indian Film Academy for his performance in a comic role.

He has a M.A in Ancient History and Archaeology from the T.D Degree College in 1970-71.