‘I ENJOY COMEDY IF IT’S NOT STUPID’

Rajkummar Rao wishes to explore multiple genres; feels success of comedies depends on quality of writing

After success of Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Newton being chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars, actor Rajkumar Rao is definitely on a high point in his career.

Seeing Rajkummar at his comic best in Bareilly Ki..., especially after intense films such as D-Day (2013), Shahid (2013), City Lights (2014), Aligarh (2016) and Trapped (2016), was a pleasant change.

The actor has shifted genres once again, as in his latest release, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, he has a full-fledged romantic role. Is it a conscious move? “I want to experiment, explore and tap on every genre. Even slapstick comedy — I’m a big fan of Andaaz Apna Apna (1994 film starring Aamir and Salman Khan). It’s a little over the top but I am a big fan of the performances. Also, films such as Hindi Medium, Tanu Weds Manu — they are very different comedy films. I enjoy watching comedy on-screen as long as it’s not stupid, and is making some sense,” says Rajkummar.

Recalling why he signed up for Bareilly Ki Barfi, he says, “The film got me excited and the character I played was really fascinating. It was an area and a character that I had not explored before. And that was my sole reason to say yes.”

Asked if comedy comes naturally to him, the actor gushes, “I am still exploring that. In a way, it’s challenging because comedy is all about timing. I believe that most of the credit goes to our writers, as they write such amazing situations; as actors, you just have to do them honestly.”

And what’s his take on double-meaning sex comedies? “Well, that’s not my favourite. I’m sure they have their own audience and that’s the reason some of them are even successful. But, as an audience, I’m more of a fan of subtle humour — something situational where you are not forcing something on me as a viewer,” says the actor, who will be next seen in Fanney Khan opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.