A Grasim Mr. India (1999) first runner-up title holder, Raqesh made his screen debut together with Himanshu Malik in Anubhav Sinha’s Tum Bin (2001). After the success of Tum Bin, Anubhav Sinha again cast him as a solo lead in Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha(2002) opposite Raima Sen, which bombed at the box office. After that he starred in a few average films like Dil Vil Pyar Vyar in 2002 and Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai in 2005, but none of these films clicked. Raqesh failed to make a mark at the box-office and decided to turn to television. He made his debut in the Zee serial, Saat Phere. With his cute looks and talent, Raqesh earned instant recognition on the small screen within a short span of time. Originally from Pune, Raqesh has also done ads for Colgate, Wrigley’s chewing gum, SSI-Education and Lux, Fiama di wills with Deepika Padukone, etc

Raqesh has great interest in painting, horse riding, playing tennis, sculpting, singing, playing the flute and sitar. He chose to leave and sacrifice his time in the daily serial Saat Phere, due to a Hollywood movie.

He has played the role of Anuj in the NDTV Imagine show Ek Packet Umeed. He depicted the role of an MBA graduate who helps run Umeed Bhavan and is in love with Sujata (role played by Rupali Ganguly) who is the daughter of the head of Umeed Bhavan.

He also played the role of Karan Mehra in Simply Sapne as the main actor replaced by Gautam Rode.
Shlok is the character he played in Seven (TV series) on Sony Entertainment Television (India). The show was produced under the banner of Yash Raj Television.

He is recently seen as male protagonist Aditya in the Star Plus show Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak.
Raqesh is all set to play the role of the antagonist in A New Love Iisshstory written by Vipul K Rawal of Iqbal (film) fame and directed by John Matthew Matthan which is set to release in early 2011.

He was Grasim Mr.India (1999). His father is a navy captain and his mother is a teacher. Rakesh changed his name to Raqesh Vashisth due to career problems.

Movies Done By Raqesh Bapat

2001 Tum Bin Amar Shah Hindi
2002 Dil Vil Pyar Vyar Gaurav Hindi
2002 Kuch Dil Ne Kaha
2003 Tumse Milke Wrong Number Raj Hindi
2004 Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya Sunny Khanna Hindi
2005 Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai Sameer Hindi
2005 Naam Gum Jaayega Vishal Saxena Hindi
2006 Jai Maa Santoshi Anuraag Hindi
2006 Jaadu Sa Chal Gaya Rahul Hindi
2012 Heroine Sameer Khan Hindi
2012 Aayna Ka Bayna Saagar Marathi
2013 Gippi Chemistry teacher Hindi
2013 A New Love Ishtory Prince Vikram Hindi
2015 Citizen Marathi
2015 Vrundavan Marathi
2016 Sarv Mangal Savdhan Marathi
2018 Savita Damodar Paranjpe Ashok Marathi
2019 WhatsApp Love Aditya Marathi
2019 Mumbai Apli Ahe Raja Marathi
2019 Forever Marathi

Television Series Done Raqesh Bapat

2005–2008 Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar Neel / Neerav Zee TV
2008 Ek Packet Umeed Anuj NDTV Imagine
2010 Seven Shlok Sony Entertainment Television
2010–2012 Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? Aditya Jakhar Star Plus
2011 Simplly Sapney Karan Zee Next
2012–2013 Honge Judaa Naa Hum Rohan Mishra Sony Entertainment Television
2013 Nach Baliye 6 Himself Star Plus
2014 Qubool Hai Asad Ahmed Khan Zee TV
2016–2017 Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant Anthony Gonzalves / Shantanu Kant Life OK
2018 Tu Aashiqui Reyansh Diwan Colors TV
Ishq Mein Marjawan Reyansh Diwan