Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao
Rao at the 2017 Berlinale premiere of Newton
Born (1984-08-31) 31 August 1984
Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Other names Rajkumar Yadav
Alma mater Film and Television Institute of India
Occupation Actor
Years active 2010–present
Awards Full list

Rajkummar Rao (born 31 August 1984[1]), also known as Rajkumar Yadav, is an Indian actor.[2][3] He has established a career in Hindi cinema and is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award, three Filmfare Awards, and an Asia Pacific Screen Award.

Born and raised in Gurgaon, Rao graduated from the University of Delhi and went on to study acting at the Film and Television Institute of India. He then moved to Mumbai and made his film debut with the experimental anthology film Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). After a few brief roles, he had his breakthrough with the drama film Kai Po Che! (2013). He rose to prominence with his portrayal of Shahid Azmi in the critically acclaimed biographical drama Shahid (2013), for which he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.[4]

Rao went on to feature in the successful romantic comedy Queen (2014) and starred in the acclaimed dramas CityLights (2014), Aligarh (2016), and Trapped (2016). The last of these earned him another Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. Among his 2017 releases, the romantic comedy Bareilly Ki Barfi and the black comedy Newton were both commercial successes and won him several accolades including the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for the former and the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Actor for the latter. His highest-grossing release came with the horror comedy Stree (2018).

Early life and education

Rajkummar Rao was born as Raj Kumar Yadav in Gurgaon, Haryana, India.[5] He finished his schooling in Gurgaon at Blue Bells Model Sr. Sec. School and graduated in Arts from Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College (ARSD)–University of Delhi. He was simultaneously doing theatre with Kshitij Repertory and Shri Ram Centre (SRC) in Delhi.[6] In 2008, Rajkummar graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and shifted to Mumbai for a film career.[7] Rao cites Shah Rukh Khan as his inspiration to act: "[I]f an outsider could make it as big as him, then maybe there was hope for me."[8]

Career

Film debut and early work (2010–2013)

After graduating from FTII, Rao spent the next year visiting studios and meeting casting directors. In 2010, he got his big break when he was cast in Love Sex Aur Dhokha, after responding to an ad that mentioned that Dibakar Banerjee was looking for newcomers.[7][9]

Rao next signed Ekta Kapoor’s Ragini MMS in which he played a negative role. Both Love Sex Aur Dhokha and Ragini MMS succeeded, and his performances in both films were appreciated. He also appeared in Bejoy Nambiar's Shaitan. Raja Sen of Rediff, while criticizing the film, singled out his performance as "reliably terrific".[10]

In 2012, Rao performed a series of small, but significant roles in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2, Chittagong and Talaash. Anurag Kashyap selected Rao for Gangs Of Wasseypur after watching his performance in Love Sex aur Dhokha. For the role of Shamshad Alam, he visited Wasseypur to perfect his character and accent. However, his character's screen time was considerably reduced in the final script. Rao, who was eager to work with Anurag Kashyap, went ahead with the movie anyway.[7] In the critically acclaimed Chittagong, he portrayed the role of freedom fighter Lokenath Bal. In Talaash, he played the role of a junior officer to Aamir Khan's character. Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN commented: "...it takes Rajkumar Rao just one scene – in which he's merely a spectator with a single line of dialogue – to show what a good actor can bring even to a small part."[11]

Critical recognition and rise to prominence (2013–present)

Rao in 2017

In 2013, Rao played the role of Govind in the film Kai Po Che!, Abhishek Kapoor's adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life. The movie was a commercial and critical success, and earned praise for the lead performances. Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV remarked: "No praise would be enough for Raj Kumar Rao. Delivering a measured performance as the self-effacing man lost in 'the magic of numbers', he is a consummate scene-stealer."[12] He followed Kai Po Che! with a leading role in the biopic Shahid, based on the life of the slain lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi. It earned praise from the critics with Anupama Chopra writing: "Shahid is Raj Kumar’s triumph. His Shahid has strength, anguish and a controlled anger, but also real charm. His smile lights up the frame. See Shahid for him."[13] The role earned him a National Film Award for Best Actor (shared with Suraj Venjaramoodu for Perariyathavar) and a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.[14][15]

Rao then starred in the coming-of-age dramedy Queen (2014) opposite Kangana Ranaut. He played Vijay, a man who calls off his wedding with his fiancée. Rao's performance was well received; Saibal Chatterjee wrote that "He brings remarkable restraint to bear upon his interpretation of the disgustingly conservative city slicker who cannot see beyond his nose. Rarely has an object of derision stood his ground with as much firm intent as he does."[16] The film received critical acclaim and was financially successful.[17][18][19]

Rao next starred in Hansal Mehta's drama City Lights (2014). In 2015, he appeared alongside Sonam Kapoor and Pulkit Samrat in the romantic comedy Dolly Ki Doli (2015).[20][21] In April 2015, Rao featured with Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan in Hamari Adhuri Kahani. Both Dolly Ki Doli and Hamari Adhuri Kahani were box office flops.[22][23]

Another critically acclaimed movie, Aligarh, featuring Rao in a supporting role, was released in February 2016 earning him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination. He has been honored with life membership of the International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy of Film & Television by Sandeep Marwah.

The actor is known for his appearance and dramatic excellence for his characters in various films. For his 2016 film Trapped, Rao lost 7 kg in 22 days by a controlled and planned diet consisting of one carrot and coffee only.[24] For the 2017 Ekta Kapoor-Hansal Mehta web series Bose-Dead/Alive,[25] he gained 11 kg for the role of Subhash Chandra Bose & Omerta.[26] He also underwent an appearance transformation for Raabta (2017), in which he had to play the role of a 324-year-old man. Continuing the tradition, Rao will now be growing a beard to look older in his upcoming film Fanney Khan, opposite Aishwarya Rai and Anil Kapoor.[27][28]

Filmography

Film

Key
Film yet to release Denotes films that have not yet been released
Films
Year Film Role Notes
2010 Rann News Reader
2010 Love Sex Aur Dhokha Adarsh
2011 Ragini MMS Uday
2011 Shaitan Malwankar Pintya
2012 Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2 Shamshad Alam
2012 Chittagong Lokenath Bal
2012 Talaash: The Answer Lies Within Devrath Kulkarni
2013 Kai Po Che! Govind Patel Nominated–Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
2013 Boyss Toh Boyss Hain
2013 D-Day Moin (voice) Cameo appearance
2013 Shahid Shahid Azmi National Film Award for Best Actor
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor
2014 Queen Vijay
2014 CityLights Deepak Singh
2014 Bombay Mirror Short film
2015 Dolly Ki Doli Sonu Sherawat
2015 Hamari Adhuri Kahani Hari Prasad
2016 Aligarh Deepu Sebastian Nominated–Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
2016 Trapped Shaurya Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor
2017 Raabta Muwaqqit Cameo appearance
2017 Behen Hogi Teri Shiv Kumar Nautiyal (Gattu)
2017 Bareilly Ki Barfi Pritam Vidrohi Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
2017 Newton Newton Kumar Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor
Nominated–Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor
2017 Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana IAS Satyendra Mishra
2018 Omerta Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh
2018 Fanney Khan Adhir
2018 Stree Vicky
2018 Love Sonia Manish
2018 5 WeddingsFilm yet to release Harbhajan Singh Post-production
2019 Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa LagaFilm yet to release Sahil Mirza Post-production
2019 Mental Hai KyaFilm yet to release TBA Filming[29]
2019 Made in ChinaFilm yet to release Raghu Filming[30]
TBA Shimla MirchiFilm yet to release TBA Completed
TBA Ami Saira BanoFilm yet to release TBA Bengali film; completed[31]

Television

Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
2017Bose: Dead/AliveSubhas Chandra BoseALTBalajiWeb series[32]

Awards and nominations

Rao has been the recipient of a National Film Award for Shahid (2014); three Filmfare Awards: two Best Actor (Critics) for Shahid (2013) and Trapped (2017), Best Supporting Actor for Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017); and an Asia Pacific Screen Award for Newton (2017).

References

  1. ↑ Kukreja, Monica (31 August 2017). "Happy birthday Rajkummar Rao: Actor recalls best gift; an army uniform his mom got him". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Rajkumar Yadav is now Rajkummar Rao". NDTV. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "A look back at the box office performance of Omerta actor Rajkummar Rao's last five films".
  4. ↑ "61st National Film Awards For 2013" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India). 16 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Jhunjhunwala, Udita (16 February 2013). "Raj Kumar : Making of an actor". Mint. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  6. ↑ Amrisha (4 June 2014). "Interesting Facts About Raj Kumar Rao-Acting Bug". Filmibeat. Greynium Information Technologies. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 ""I still don't get car parking in my society" – Raj Kumar Yadav". Filmfare. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  8. ↑ Verma, Anurag (8 August 2018). "I Once Spoke to SRK's Posters': Rajkummar Rao's Bollywood Journey is Truly Inspiring". CNN-News18. Network18 Group. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  9. ↑ Jagannathan, Sahithya (18 June 2011). "'I would love to be born as Marlon Brando'". Tehelka Magazine, Vol 8, Issue 24. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Shaitan is more SprayTan than Satan". Rediff. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  11. ↑ "'Talaash' review". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Movie review: Kai Po Che!". NDTV. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "Movie Review: Shahid by Anupama Chopra". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "Filmfare Awards 2014: The complete list of winners". IBNLive. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Heart slowed down when I heard that I won National Award: Rajkumar Rao". Firstpost. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  16. ↑ Chatterjee, Saibal (8 March 2014). "Queen movie review". NDTV. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  17. ↑ Mehta, Ankita (6 March 2014). "'Queen' Review Roundup: Watch it for Kangana's Superb Performance". International Business Times. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Box Office: Bewakoofiyaan does below average business". Rediff.com. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "Queen Closes In On 60 Crore". Box Office India. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  20. ↑ Jha, Subhash K. (17 April 2014). ""It's been a long hard struggle" – Hansal Mehta". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  21. ↑ Goyal. Divya (6 April 2014). "Sonam Kapoor shoots 16 hours non stop for 'Dolly Ki Doli', despite high fever". The Indian Express. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  22. ↑ Singh, Apurva (12 April 2014). "Mahesh Bhatt: 'Humari Adhuri Kahani' to be completed with Vidya Balan". The Indian Express. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  23. ↑ Shetty-Saha, Shubha (12 June 2015). "'Hamari Adhuri Kahani' – Movie Review". Mid-Day. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  24. ↑ "Raj Kummar Rao survived on daily diet of a carrot and a coffee for next film". Hindustan Times. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  25. ↑ "Rajkummar Rao to play Bose in Ekta Kapoor-Hansal Mehta's web series". Celebs & Cinema. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  26. ↑ "Rajkummar undergoes jaw dropping physical transformation for Bose-Dead/Alive". Deccan Chronicle. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  27. ↑ Jha, Subhash K. (9 September 2017). "Rajkummar Rao to grow a beard for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Fanney Khan". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  28. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Here's all you need to know about Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao starrer horror comedy Stree". Bollywood Hungama. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  29. ↑ "After Mental Hai Kya, Rajkummar Rao and Kangana Ranaut to reunite for Anurag Basu's next". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  30. ↑ Bhattacharya, Roshmila (17 September 2018). "First Look – Made in China: Rajkummar Rao, Mouni Roy kick off shoot in Ahmedabad". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  31. ↑ "Raj Kummar Rao is playing a transgender and Anurag Kashyap wants to take him for a date". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  32. ↑ "Bose Dead/Alive: Rajkummar Rao, Makers Hope to Change Entertainment with the Web-Series". News18.
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