The Reign Of Rajkummar Rao On The Silver Screen

It's the reign of Rajkummar Rao at the theaters. Basking in the success of two back-to-back hits with Srikanth and Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, the actor says there is no strategy to his success.

''I am happy to offer diverse content to the audience. After Srikanth and Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, there is Stree 2 and Vicky Aur Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. All the films are different in terms of genre and treatment. I am proud of them. I don't calculate or strategize too much about whether I should balance a comedy with an action film. If I read a script and like it, I go ahead, and sometimes it is the filmmaker and their vision that could be a catalyst in my decision. The externals don't bother me; I love my work, being on set, and the entire process of playing the characters I have. The audience feedback is most imperative for me."

Srikanth has crossed over 45 crores within a month of its release, while Mr. and Mrs. Mahi are on a winning streak, having made 12 crores within three days of its release.
Expressing his gratitude for the overwhelming response to Srikanth, the actor says the life of industrialist Srikanth Bolla inspired him. Srikanth Bhola, who was not only the first visually impaired international student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, went on to set up a successful business.

"He came from humble beginnings, and I was moved by how he overcame the challenges and his accomplishments, which were not easy to achieve, and being visually impaired made it even tougher. This is the classic underdog story, one of perseverance and defying all odds. Not many people know of him, and I thought it would be very exciting for me as an actor and challenging to bring Srikanth's story to the world. I was nervous, but that's where the fun is-to surprise yourself and those around you."

Reuniting with his Roohi co-star Jahnvi Kapoor for Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, a slice-of-life narrative of a married couple set against the background of India's favorite sport, cricket, Rajkummar says he was impressed with Gunjan Saxena director Sharan Sharma's narrative.

"There is some cricket, but it is essentially a relationship drama with a big heart. It is about a husband and wife and a truly inspiring story of aspirations, dreams, and egos. It has something to offer every couple."

Completing 14 years in the industry, a journey that began with supporting roles in LSD and Gangs of Wasseputr to critically lauded films such as Shahid, Aligarh, Badhai Do, and Bheed. The actor says his process hasn't changed.

"My attitude towards my work is the same; I go on to set with the excitement and wonderment of a child. I don't take things for granted, nor do I get complacent. I continue to be nervous and scared as soon as I sign a film, thinking about whether I will be able to pull off a character and that something will never change. Yes, I have grown as an actor, which also comes with an understanding of life and the experience of working with directors like Hansal Mehta, Amar Kaushik, Tushar Hiranandani, and Sharan Sharma. My film choices are instinctive but also driven by working with filmmakers who I know will push my limits and urge me out of my comfort zone. This is something that I am working on.".

The recent success of films like 12th Fail, Laapata Ladies, and Madgaon Express, as well as the Malayalam hit Manjummel Boys, has proven it is neither stars nor mega-budget productions that drive the box office. The actor gets nostalgic as he recounts receiving the national award for best actor for Shahid.

"I recall when I received the national award for Shahid, we had made it on a budget of 65 lac, and though Hansal Sir and I were proud of it and loved it, we had no idea how it would be received. The recognition that the film got-only reaffirmed honest content-will touch a chord. Today, word-of-mouth is the best PR. A good film will always find its audience; I don't think it has anything to do with the scale of the film. The recent success of the above-mentioned films has proven that no marketing or overactive PR machinery can do what simple word-of-mouth can. Wherever you go, people are discussing Laapata Ladies and Manjummel Boys."

Producers and filmmakers look at tightening their belts given inflated production costs, including star remuneration. Rajkummar is one of the few actors who prefers that the added costs, which are wasted on stars and their entourage, be spent on the film. "I prefer being very economically correct and rather have the film and production benefit."