He is currently on a roll, delivering consistent hits at the box office. But the first thing that you will notice about Rajkummar Rao, is his humility. Devoid of starry tantrums, he greets me with a warm handshake, as we settle ourselves on a comfortable couch in his fancy hotel suite, from where one can get a gorgeous panoramic view of Mumbai. Just as we’re about to begin the interview, I panic when I discover that my backup phone recorder is faulty. However, Rao keeps calm, and offers to record the interview on his phone. This is when I realise that the actor-par-excellence has not been ruffled by the vagaries of showbiz. With films like Omerta, Stree, Judgementall Hai Kya, Shahid, Newton, Trapped, Shaitan, Kai Po Che! and Queen to his credit, Rao is a game changer in the industry. Excerpts from the interview:
What was life like before you entered the film industry?
I grew up in Gurugram. I binge-watched Hindi movies, and that’s where my fascination for actors and stories began. I decided to become an actor in the ninth grade. Soon after, I became a regular at school-level theatre in Delhi. I continued performing through college, and after graduation moved to Pune to join The Film and Television Institute of India, to pursue acting. I came to Mumbai in 2008, but for six years before that, I was learning as much as I could, and continue to do the same even today.
As a proverbial outsider, was it difficult for you to break into the film world?
It was difficult. It took me two years to crack my way in, but I was prepared for the struggle. I knew that once I was in Mumbai, I would have to look for work because nobody knew who I was. I would try and meet as many casting directors as I possibly could, and would request them to audition me. Two years later, I got the chance to audition for my first feature film, LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha.
Denne historien er fra December 9, 2019-utgaven av Femina.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 9, 2019-utgaven av Femina.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE PRE-MARRIAGE PLAYBOOK
Getting married demands honest conversations before you say \"I do\".
KEEP CALM AND SAY 'I DO'
Battling pre-wedding jitters? Sharon D'Silva has the expert lowdown on how to ease those nerves
STEP INTO A SEPTEMBER RESET
Just as January is associated with resolutions, September is your (late) mid-year reboot to recharge, refocus, and finish the year strong. Here's how to make the most of it...
Skirting THE ISSUE
We love lehengas, period. The whole country loves lehengas. That's why we've picked the season's hottest offerings created by designers across India. Whether it's a wedding, an event, a party or just you wanting to treat yourself to some spectacular fashion, Ashwini Arun Kumar has got you covered
There's Something About SHRADDHA KAPOOR
FAME OFTEN COMES WITH A FACADE, BUT, WITH SHRADDHA KAPOOR, HER STARDOM IS ROOTED IN A KIND OF WARM EVERYDAYNESS. AS SHE CONTINUES TO RISE TO THE TOP, HER STANDOUT PERFORMANCE IN STREE 2 PROVES THAT SHE'S NOT JUST REACHING FOR THE STARS - SHE'S ALSO RIGHT WHERE SHE'S DESTINED TO BE.
HOT RIGHT NOW
All things fresh and fun in the beauty space
INDIE HEROES
It's time to add these Indian brands to your beauty shelf.
Boost Your Brain
Samiksha Bhowmik shares daily habits that could help boost your memory
FLAVOURS OF THE EAST
Bengaluru gets a taste of Korean and Japanese delights with Tiger Yaki
CLEAR INTENTIONS ONLY!
Stop mindlessly swiping right and ditch game-playing for genuine conversations.