This story is from October 19, 2019

Rajkummar Rao: Some people thought that I wasn’t cut out for lead roles, but today, they think differently

The actor talks to BT about how he does not want to limit himself as an actor, how box-office success is not the only thing that drives him, and the life lessons he has learnt from his parents.
Rajkummar Rao: Some people thought that I wasn’t cut out for lead roles, but today, they think differently
Rajkummar Rao (Tejas Kudtarkar)
The years of struggle that Rajkummar Rao has seen has helped him shape his career with great maturity and confidence. From playing the second fiddle in several films to becoming a poster boy of content-driven cinema, he has come a long way. Rajkummar, who will be seen in 'Made In China', talks to BT about how he does not want to limit himself as an actor, how box-office success is not the only thing that drives him, and the life lessons he has learnt from his parents.
Excerpts...
'Made In China' chronicles the journey of Raghu Mehta, a failed businessman aspiring to make it big. You, too, have toiled for years before making a mark in Bollywood. Did that make Raghu’s journey more relatable?
'Made In China' revolves around Raghu’s journey, from being a nobody to trying to be somebody, and I could totally relate to it. Like me, he, too, doesn’t have a plan B and has a never-give-up attitude. Raghu has struggled a lot with people around him and his extended family is not in favour of him exploring another business idea because he has failed so many times. When I was struggling in Bollywood, I was also told by people to try other mediums. However, I was prepared to face the struggle. I knew that no one would launch me the moment I landed in Mumbai. For two years, people only considered me for character-driven parts. Sometimes, they would either not call me or make me wait, and eventually, they would turn around and tell me that they needed a conventional-looking actor with a great physique. However, I didn’t lose hope and had faith that someday, someone would look at me the way I am and cast me. Dibakar Banerjee gave me that opportunity in Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). Success changes people’s perception of you and the way they look at you. People have cast aspersions on many actors because they didn’t look conventional. But, these actors proved them wrong and the same people started praising them. This has happened with me as well. Initially, some people thought that I wasn’t cut out for lead roles, but today, they think differently. From then to now, it’s been an exciting ride. I am happy with my career graph, and the way cinema is shifting shapes and people are coming up with great ideas and stories, which are being lapped up by the audience. It’s a great sign for us.
You have been a front-runner for content-driven cinema. Do you ever crave to play the quintessential Bollywood romantic hero?
I am a big fan of the typical Bollywood kind of romance. I love to watch it, but I am not too sure if I can pull it off. Also, I feel that cinema has become more real. Having said that, larger-than-life films are still being made and are doing great numbers at the box office. There should be place for all kinds of films. People will get bored if we keep making only realistic films.
While you had a great run at the box office last year, your films in 2019 ('Ek Ladki ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga' and 'JudgeMentall Hai Kya') didn’t have a similar impact on the BO…

I knew exactly what went wrong with my films, which didn’t work. There are times, when you make a good film, but it doesn’t work. However, it’s a personal experience which I wouldn’t be able to share. Sometimes, you realise that a film won’t work at an earlier stage itself, but then, it’s not just about the box-office result, but also about enjoying the process, and becoming part of a good film. Failures teach you a lot more than success, as you learn what went wrong and what not to repeat. I try to live in the present and not think too much about the future. I give my all to every character I am playing at that time, and then, I move on to the next project without thinking about what’s going to happen to it.
You had said in an interview that the industry is quick to typecast actors. Currently, you are the go-to actor for content-driven cinema? Do you ever feel that you are being typecast?
I don’t think I have been typecast. There is still a lot of fire inside me and I don’t want to typecast myself ever. I want to surprise my audience by doing as many films as I can and play different parts. I don't want anyone to slot me in any bracket and think that I can only do certain kind of films. I like challenges. I want people to throw any character at me and it is my responsibility to portray it with conviction. A lot of people ask me about my dream role. I don’t have one. Every role I do becomes a dream part for that moment and for that period. Just the dream of becoming a film actor was a big one for me, and I am happy that I am living that dream every day.
You are known to sink in your teeth into every character that you play. You lost seven kilos for 'Trapped' and grew a paunch for 'Made In China'. While it’s considered to be a big deal in Bollywood, in Hollywood, many actors have undergone drastic transformation...
I have always said that it’s part of my job, and I am not doing anything extraordinary. It’s the demand of my character. If I am playing Subhash Chandra Bose, I have to look like him and not someone from Delhi. It’s my responsibility towards my characters that I have to fulfill. But yes, when you undergo a drastic transformation like Joaquin Phoenix did for 'Joker', people appreciate it. It’s amazing to see an actor put in so much for the character without using prosthetics. I think that’s phenomenal. I also like what Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey do. I find their work inspiring. They do it because they want to be true to their characters and not for appreciation from people. For Made In China, I made my tummy a little heavy, because I wanted to look different in the film. I ate a lot of white rice and cheese and also worked out a lot so that the other muscles were intact. It’s fun when you try to do something different and people appreciate it. But eventually, it’s for yourself; it’s a very lonely process that you go through during that time. As an artiste, you do it for yourself. There were times when my director (Mikhil Musale) was happy with a shot, but I wasn’t and I would go in for a retake because I wasn’t satisfied. You repeat the process till you take out something real from within. Primarily, it’s to satiate the artiste in you and then you do it for your co-actors. If that happens truthfully, it will reflect in the film and the audience will see it. One doesn’t know what will work for the audience. How will they connect with you if you are not in the moment? If you are truthful in that very moment to yourself, your craft and your co-actors, the audience will definitely connect with it. You are not breaking the fourth wall and talking to them; they have to believe in what’s happening in that particular scene. Since I am trained in a film school, I understand performances really well. I can tell the difference between a true performance and when someone is faking it.
This film is more of a situational comedy. What’s your view on adult comedies?
It is situational and there are very responsible actors involved in the film. Nothing in it is vulgar and crass. It’s a family entertainer. But as they say, never say never. If the story excites me as an actor, I don’t find it vulgar and crass, if it’s situational and not just about gags, then I won’t mind doing an adult comedy. But that’s not the plan right now.
You have been a part of several heroine-centric films and two-hero projects. After having tasted the kind of success that you have, a lot of actors would refrain from sharing screen space in so many projects…
I did Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019) and Queen (2013); both of them were women-centric stories. I never judge a story on the basis of how my character is shaping the film. The story is paramount, and if my character is impactful and offers me something new and different, I say yes to it. For me, it’s never about playing lead parts, but always about associating with great stories. I love what I do and genuinely feel passionately about my work. It’s as simple as that. I am not doing it to prove a point to anyone. For me, it’s a sacred thing to go on a film set. Insecurity and other things corrupt the environment on the set and then, it reflects in your work. I would never want to feel like that. I have done 'Bareilly Ki Barfi' (2017) and 'Kai Po Che' (2013), so I don’t mind being part of a two-hero or three-hero project. I am very secure as an actor. It’s not that I am going to fight a battle, I am going to do something I really love. I love being on a film set, where everyone is working like one big family.
While you are doing exceptionally well in your career, on the personal front, you suffered two irrevocable losses over the past couple of years when your parents passed away. How have you coped with the loss? Even with all the success, does it get lonely?
I wish my parents were part of this journey and that void will always be there. But apart from that, I am very happy and content with the way work is going and the kind of cinema I am doing. It’s an interesting phase in my life. I do feel lonely. That’s why I am working. When I am working, my mind is busy with a lot of things. But when I am home, travelling, or not doing much, it hits me. Fortunately, I have my loved ones, who keep me grounded and rooted. But I don’t have to put any extra effort to stay grounded, as that’s how I am. With the kind of upbringing my parents have given me, I will always be this way. They have taught me to work hard and be real. They have taught me a lot about honesty and helping others. It’s not difficult to be honest. It’s easier to speak your mind.
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