Ragesh was born in the Marathi-speaking Asthana family on May 17 1962 in Uganda. He has a younger brother, Dinesh and his mom's name is Sudha. During November 1972, following Idi Amin's decision to ask all non-native Ugandans to leave this country, the Asthanas re-located to India, and purchased a two-bedroom apartment on the main-floor of Kala Kunj, located near Milan Talkies, Santa Cruz (West). Ragesh was then enrolled in the Jamnabai Narsee High School. After obtaining his Secondary School Certificate, he was then enrolled in Mithibai College, Vile Parle West. He always had an interest in drama and theater, he loved acting, especially in the 'local talent day' at the Bhagwan Shri Ganesh Mahautsav in the T.P.S. VI (Town Planning Scheme). Amongst his main hobbies as a child were reading comic books, and fiction novels. His best friends at the time were Appurva Oza, Sunil Narula, Raj, Galani Brothers (Sunder, Hero, Sajjan), Rajesh Pai, Sushil and Sunil Lakhani, & Deepak Malhotra. Ragesh then appeared as Appu Swami in the television series 'Subah' during the '80s, before finally settling down as a character actor in Bollywood movies. He got married to Jyoti during 1994, has two children (Nanaki and Yuvraj); while Dinesh is married to Lisa, has a son, Nisharn, and is now settled in New Zealand. Their mom lives in Nasik. Ragesh continues to act in Bollywood movies as well as has appeared in a TV serial titled 'Palampur Express'.