Rajkummar Rao: Spirit of a stunning success

RAJKUMMAR RAO has had a superb year, following up a stunning performance in the acclaimed Bollywood biopic Srikanth with the spooky sequel Stree 2, which became this year’s highest-grossing Hindi film.

The versatile actor also received praise for Mr & Mrs Mahi and will add to his 2024 cinematic triumphs with a lead role in the newly released comedy Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, in cinemas from Friday (11).

He stars opposite Triptii Dimri in the story of a married couple desperately trying to find a missing sex tape they had made. The contrasting characters in his four films this year have showcased why the massively in-demand Rao is currently regarded as one of India’s finest actors.

Eastern Eye caught up with the popular star to discuss his journey, the record-breaking success of Stree 2, his new film, dream role, and inspirations. He also revealed his acting heroes and the secret to a great performance.

 How do you reflect on your acting journey?

Honestly, there’s a lot of gratitude. It feels surreal for a guy born and raised in Gurgaon – back when it was a small town – to achieve his dream of becoming a film actor. Every day I work is a blessing. I think it’s due to the blessings of my mother and God.

Did you expect the first Stree to become such a game-changer and popularise an entire genre?

To be honest, no. We knew we made a good film and something unique, but we didn’t anticipate such a big success. It did become a massive hit, and in those six years since then, mostly everybody has seen it, and the fan following just kept increasing. That’s the reason. I think when Stree 2 came out, people just rushed to theatres to watch it because they gave so much love to the first Stree.

Why do you think audiences have embraced these movies?

I think the idea is very unique and relatable. Characters like Vicky, Jana, Rudra, Bittu are very relatable – there are guys like these in our small towns. So, it combined very relatable characters and a unique idea, along with being a great mixture of two genres – horror and comedy. All of this worked in our favour.

What’s your favourite moment from Stree 2?

Of course, the whole experience of making the film, because it is just so much fun to be part of this team. Being on that set was a joy. Our director Amar (Kaushik) was a guiding force – the way he executed things and kept us all together like a family was so much fun. Then the kind of response I got from the first and second Stree has just been so overwhelming. You know, people messaging me feels like a personal victory. People saying that it feels like ‘it’s my win’, and that is truly heartfelt.

How much does it mean to you that a movie like Stree 2 has massively outperformed blockbusters with huge budgets?

It means a lot to me. A film like Stree 2, which is content-driven and has a great story with good actors in it – for it to work so well is a great sign for our cinema. It shows that people focus on good screenplays, and hopefully, we’ll also get good actors to perform in those types of stories.

Will there be a Stree 3?

Certainly, that’s the plan. We’ll have Stree 3 for sure, and the wait will not be as long as it was for Stree 2. So yes, there will definitely be a third instalment.

How much did the appreciation for your stunning performance in the Bollywood biopic Srikanth earlier this year mean to you?

It means a lot to me because I worked really hard for that character. I was very scared when I signed on to the film because I have no experience, of course, of how a visually impaired person would be. I didn’t have anyone around me like that. Also, for that, I had to do a lot of research and spend a lot of time with real-life visually impaired people. I went to a lot of blind schools.

You also spent time with visually impaired industrialist Srikanth Bolla, whom the film was based on…

Yes, I spent a lot of time with Srikanth himself. I had to live his life on screen and off screen as well – to have that authenticity in my performance. And when you work so hard and then you get these kinds of responses – the positive reactions from the audience – it’s overwhelming.

You are one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema. But do you prefer more dramatic roles like Srikanth or a comedy like Stree?

Honestly, I prefer everything. I’m an actor and don’t want to put myself in a bracket, that this is what I prefer. This is what I do. I want to explore everything, and every genre. I want to push myself with every film. I want to take on new challenges.

Is your plan to continue being unpredictable with your role choices going forward?

Absolutely, that’s the plan. I want to surprise myself. I want to surprise my audiences. That’s why I said I want to keep on pushing the boundaries.

Is it fair to say that well-written characters are important to you when selecting projects?

Yes, it always helps when it’s a great story and a great character attached to it. That definitely helps. Then, of course, my job as an actor is to take it slightly above the script by improvising or by having a discussion with my director about a particular scene or anything else. But yes, a great story and strong character is a given.

 What did you like about Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video?

I really enjoyed stepping into another comedy role because comedy is a genre I genuinely love doing. It’s very difficult to make people laugh, but once you do, people love watching those scenes again and again. I’ve expressed that in Stree and am hoping to have the same experience again. It’s a great family entertainer. The script was hilarious, and as soon as I read it, I knew it was something special. This movie is going to have people in splits. It’s also my first time working with Triptii Dimri, which was an exciting experience. She brought so much energy to the set, and it made the whole process really interesting.

How does this role compare to the others you have done so far?

Every role I choose has its own unique charm, and I’m quite selective about the scripts I take on. I wouldn’t want to compare this one to others because they all have their own essence, but I can definitely say this was a fun role to portray. I had such a great time working on it, and I really hope the audience enjoys watching it as much as I enjoyed being part of it.

What is your own favourite moment in the movie?

I can’t give away too much just yet, but there are definitely a lot of funny moments in the film. There is one big sequence set in a graveyard – that whole sequence is extremely funny. I think there are plenty more moments like that, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how people react to them.

Do you have a dream role that you haven’t done yet?

No, I think my only dream was to be a film actor one day, and that dream is something I’m living every day. So, yeah, that’s a dream.

What inspires you as an actor?

When I see a good performance on screen. When I see a good story on screen. When I read a great book, that inspires me – that if somebody else is doing it, why not me?

 A lot of people admire your ability as an actor. But who are your acting heroes?

In India, I would say, so many. Fahadh Faasil is my acting hero, especially after I saw Aavesham, when I was blown away by his performance. Irrfan (Khan) sir also was my acting hero. Shah Rukh sir has been a major inspiration for a very long time. Yeah, there are many – Ranbir (Kapoor) in Animal inspired me.

What, according to you, is the secret of a great performance?

Just be sincere and truthful to the material. Just be present in the moment.

Why do you love cinema?

Because I’m an Indian and we love watching films. We’ve grown up watching films, so I fell in love with the stories and actors since I was a kid. That love is still very much there and just keeps growing every day.