Rajkummar Rao, one of the most gifted actors in Bollywood, is renowned for his versatility and willingness to play a variety of roles and genres. His aptitude for selecting engaging and adaptable screenplays is partly responsible for his success in the film business. During the course of his decade-long career, Rao has given several memorable performances. As the actor celebrates his 40th birthday today on August 31, we look at his journey in showbiz and his upcoming projects.
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Rajkummar Rao’s Early life
According to his IMDb page, Rajkummar Rao was born in Gurgaon, Haryana and his family comprises his mother, Kamlesh Yadav and father, Satya Prakash Yadav, who worked in the Haryana Revenue Department. The actor also has two older siblings. Rao completed his 12th standard from S N Sidheshwar Senior Sec Public School and later enrolled in Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College in Delhi.
In addition to pursuing his Arts degree, Rao was doing theatre with the Kshitij Theater Group and the Shri Ram Centre in Delhi. He relocated to Mumbai in 2008 to pursue a career in the film industry and enrolled in a two-year acting program at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
Rajkummar Rao’s Bollywood Journey
Rajkummar Rao first made an uncredited appearance in Ram Gopal Varma’s 2010 political thriller Rann but his big break came later that year with Dibakar Banerjee’s Love Sex Aur Dhokha. He was one of the lead actors in the multi-protagonist film. The movie was a hit at the box office and Rao’s performance met with critical acclaim.
After the success of his debut film, producer Ekta Kapoor offered Rao the lead role in the found footage horror film Ragini MMS (2011).
His next release was Bejoy Nambiar’s crime thriller Shaitan (2011), in which he played a slimy police officer.
Anurag Kashyap liked Rajkummar Rao’s performance in Love Sex Aur Dhokha and cast him in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012), a followup to his crime film Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1. He played the supporting role of Shamshad Alam for which he visited Wasseypur to perfect his accent and character.
Following this, his acting career took a turn for the better and he never looked back. Rao featured in several great films including Talaash: The Answer Lies Within, Kai Po Che, Shahid, Queen, CityLights, Dolly Ki Doli, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, Aligarh, Trapped, Behen Hogi Teri, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, Stree, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, Ludo, The White Tiger, Roohi, Hum Do Hamare Do, Badhaai Do, Monica, O My Darling and more.
Rajkummar Rao’s Best Performances
- ShahidThe 2013 biographical drama Shahid features Rajkummar Rao as the human rights lawyer and activist Shahid Azmi. Rao beautifully portrays Shahid’s transformation from a troubled youth caught up in communal violence to an inspirational lawyer who fights for the rights of marginalized people and seeks justice for those wrongfully accused.
- TrappedRajkummar Rao plays the lead role in an engrossing psychological thriller Trapped. The film centres on Shaurya, a young man who gets stuck in an abandoned Mumbai high-rise flat. It was directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. Trapped made its theatrical debut in 2016.
- NewtonNewton follows the story of a government officer, who is sent to a politically unstable area in Central India to supervise election duties. Newton, played by Rajkummar Rao, overcomes lots of obstacles in his quest to hold an unbiased and free election. Directed by Amit V. Masurkar, the film released in 2017.
- StreeRajkummar Rao plays the role of a tailor named Vicky who gets entangled in paranormal affairs. Watching this fun scary movie is delightful. The film is directed by Amar Kaushik. It released in 2018.
- Badhaai DoRajkummar Rao plays the role of an Agra police officer who struggles with his homosexuality while keeping it a secret from his family. He establishes a fake relationship with Sumi Yadav, played by Bhumi Pednekar. Their narrative explores the nuances of their nontraditional relationship and addresses the themes of love, family dynamics, society conventions and LGBTQ+ rights. Directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni, the film released in 2022.
Rajkummar Rao’s Upcoming Projects
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video
Rajkummar Rao will be seen next in Raaj Shaandilyaa’s Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video opposite Animal famed Triptii Dimri. The film is supposedly set in the 1990s and is touted to be “97% parivarik”. The movie is bankrolled by Bhushan and Krishan Kumar under the banner of T-series. It is slated to release on October 11, 2024.
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