‘STARDOM IS ACCIDENTAL’
Actor Rajkummar Rao says his daily struggle is to “get amazing scripts”; adds he believes in destiny
He had no filmy connection but that didn’t stop Rajkummar Rao to find his way towards Hindi films, which he did when he debuted with Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD; 2010). Ever since, he has created a niche for himself and also bagged a National Award (Shahid; 2013), all of this at just 28 years of age. Now, he admits that he “can’t live without acting”.
From Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma college, Delhi, and FTII, Pune, to Bollywood — take us through your journey.
I know that so many people – including some of my friends – come every day to Mumbai to become actors but not everyone gets a chance. No one can doubt their talent but you have to accept that either it’ll happen or it won’t. I feel if you keep at it, are hardworking and know your job, then you will make it one day. So, I feel very fortunate that God has been really kind. I shifted to Mumbai in 2008 and by 2009, LSD happened and since then, I’ve been working. Also, I feel happy, content and fortunate with the kind of work that has come my way except a film or two. I want to constantly grow and do newer things as long as I can do it.
Do you ever feel that you could have done anything differently?
Yes. After successful films such as LSD and Ragini MMS (2011), in which I was one of the leads and then the lead respectively, if somebody had guided me and also if I had some money, I would have definitely hired a good PR agency. I know this is part of the profession, you have to be in newspapers, and people have to see that you exist. I met so many people who knew me by my characters but didn’t know my name. Probably the journey would have been a little different but maybe this is a better journey. That’s the only question I keep struggling with (laughs).
You are a natural with your performances. But how difficult is it to be effortless?
It requires a lot of effort to be effortless (smiles). I think all my training — be it at FTII, theatre or Shri Ram Centre (Delhi) — has really helped me in making me whatever I am today. It’s an ongoing process. You learn with every new film and scene. I can only credit all the training that I’ve had for helping me with the effortlessness.
How did you come on board for Bareilly Ki Barfi?
Nitesh (Tiwari) sir met me about a year and a half back. At that time, Dangal (2016) hadn’t released. He told me, ‘There is a script that we want you to do.’ Since I get very fidgety and restless with narrations, he narrated couple of scenes to give a flavour of the film’s world. His narrations are very good so when he started describing [my character] Pritam Vidrohi, I fell in love with it. At the start, Pritam is very quiet but then becomes a rangbaaz (bully) character who is extremely loud. It’s an amazing part for any actor. I wanted to say ‘yes’ immediately but he insisted I read the script, which I did in about three days.