Rajniesh Duggal, known for films like 1920 and winning Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 5 and Inspector Avinash. Recently seen in the Indo-Nigerian Netflix series Postcards (2024), he’s now creating waves off-screen too. “I always knew that when I start making films", my first short film would be for giving back to society,” Rajniesh says with a quiet passion. That film turned out to be Fragile — a short film about Fragile X syndrome, a genetic incurable heriditary condition very few people know about. “I’ve been associated with the Fragile X Society of India since 2019. I was shocked to learn that only 2-3% people know about it,” he shares. “It’s not a disease—it’s a condition a child is born with. *It’s hereditary and only therapies can help* .” Rajniesh and his friend Anand Pachigar teamed up with the Fragile X Society, led by Mrs. Shalini Kedia, who has spent over 23 years spreading awareness and helping over 12 lakh families.
The short film also has seasoned actors like Govind Namdev and Amruta Kanvilkar Fragile was made with one goal: awareness. And it’s already making an impact. “I feel honoured that our film is being screened on the opening night of the Ami Corti International Film Festival in Italy on June 23. This festival celebrates indie and short films, and I’m proud to represent this cause. I am on the way to Italy."
Apart from acting, Rajniesh has also been on the jury of the Italian Integration Film Festival for the past three years, where stories about cultural harmony and diversity are celebrated. When asked about Aamir Khan’s recently released hit film Sitaare Zameen Par, Rajniesh says, “What Aamir Sir has done with the film is amazing and highlights children with Down syndrome, Fragile and autism. Films like these make people more sensitive and aware and he has brought attention to it. I’d definitely love to do such a film in the future.” With his heart in the right place, Rajniesh Duggal is proving that cinema isn’t just about entertainment — it can create real, lasting change.
