FOR ME ACTING IS SACROSANCT, NOT ABOUT EGO: RAJKUMMAR RAO

Rajkummar Rao says acting is sacrosanct to him and he never lets emotions affect him

Rajkummar Rao says the process of making his upcoming film Omerta was really tough. While speaking about the audience response to the trailer, he said, “I think it got a great response. I feel it’s a one-of-its-kind and a very unique film. It was a very tough film for us to make, but I am glad about the kind of reactions we are getting for the film.” Omerta is based on the life of terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh.

Rajkummar Rao says for him, the process of acting is extremely pure and he never lets ego come in the way. Rao has been paired with Kangana Ranaut for a quirky thriller, Mental Hai Kya. The film reunites the two actors after Queen.

Post Queen, things changed for Ranaut and today Rao is known for his popularity in both critically and commercially acclaimed films. Asked if there would be ego clashes as both Ranaut and him have become big stars, Rao said, “No. Trust me, for me acting is not about ego. It is something very pure, it’s about dealing with pure emotions. (So), how can you put your ego in that?” he said.

“We haven’t started shooting yet, but I really like Kangana. We have done a film called Queen together and it is cult, so I am looking forward to start shooting for the new film with her,” he added.

The actor is currently shooting with Shraddha Kapoor for horror comedy, Stree, for which the team is finishing the final schedule. “It is shaping up pretty well and I am very excited for the release now,” he said, adding that his experience of working with the “hardworking and dedicated” Shraddha has been “very good”.

Rajkummar has won a National Award and several other honours in the past. Asked which one is closest to his heart, he said: “So many awards were special. I can’t say this award was better or that award was better for me. But of course, the Asia Pacific Screen Award that I got for Best Actor, where there were films from more than 70 countries... I saw some brilliant performances there, I think that was a huge honour, and apart from that, Filmfare Award, Screen Award and so many other awards were special.”