‘Now, birthdays are more intimate and personal’
Rajkummar Rao turns 33 this year. The actor, who landed in Poland today, will spend his day shooting for an upcoming web series. “It’s a working birthday this time. Poland is a lovely country, let’s see, we might do something,” says Rajkummar, adding, “I have a great reason to celebrate this year because Bareilly Ki Barfi (BKB) has become a success, and my work has been appreciated. Also, Mr Amitabh Bachchan has sent me this amazing handwritten note. I consider it as the most special birthday gift that I have received, and I will cherish it forever. Also, my mum was a huge Mr Bachchan fan. It was her dream to see me share the frame with him someday. She is no more, but I am sure she would be happy for me.”
Talking about how he usually likes to spend his birthday, he says, “My birthday used to be a big event when I was a kid, as I am the youngest in the family. They would only celebrate my birthdays and nobody else’s. Now birthdays are different for me. They are more intimate and personal. So I just spend time with my special and close people, take them out for dinner and cut the cake, as usual.”
When it comes to birthday resolutions, Rajkummar does “not believe” in them. “I want this year to continue the way it began and be on this journey forever. I just want to be part of exciting films.”
Professionally, this year, Rajkummar has been garnering not only critical acclaim but also box-office success. The Shahid (2013) actor elaborates, “I think City-Lights (2014) was my last so-called box office hit. Although my work has been appreciated in several films, with Trapped achieving decent numbers and BKB being a success, this year, sure, is very important and special.”
Mr Amitabh Bachchan has sent me this amazing handwritten note. I consider it as the most special birthday gift that I have received, and I will cherish it forever. RAJKUMMAR RAO, ACTOR