‘I love watching Priyanka and Irrfan in all their Hollywood films’

To say that actor Rajkummar Rao has had a fantastic year would be an understatement. His last release Newton was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars, and before that, his film Bareilly Ki Barfi was very well received. His new film, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, a love story set in a small town, sees him again in the space that he has claimed as his own.

Rajkummar, who fractured his foot recently, says, “I think it was God’s way of making me slow down

(laughs). But I’m still working. I will be promoting my films and my web series. I have to finish some dubbing work as well.” Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana sees him paired with Kriti Kharbanda. After his two diametrically different characters in Bareilly Ki Barfi, the chance to do something similar is what excited him about this project.

The film deals with the life of an average Indian — and a big part of that is arranged marriage. The actor says, “The romance is very beautiful and real. That’s how smalltown romances are.”

Meanwhile, he’s also looking forward to lobbying for Newton in the US, to push the film towards the final five at the Oscars. “We’ve hired a great publicist,” says Rajkummar. “It’s a huge responsibility and honour for the team.”

The actor adds that he’s proud of the work Indian actors are doing in Hollywood. “I love watching Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Irrfan in their Hollywood films. I feel very proud when an Indian actor makes it in the West,” he says.

I feel very proud when an Indian actor makes it in the West. There’s a much bigger audience RAJKUMMAR RAO ACTOR