As ‘Stree 2’ continues to perform exceptionally well at the box office, Rajkummar Rao’s journey in the film industry stands out as a testament to his remarkable talent and his ability to connect with audiences through authentic, unforgettable performances. This latest success adds another chapter to a career already marked by standout roles in films like Shahid, Newton, and more—establishing himself as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. In an in-depth conversation on The Longest Interview podcast on Audible, the actor opens up about the artistic challenges, personal milestones, and pivotal moments that have shaped his career. This episode offers a glimpse into the facets of his journey—read on to learn more about the man behind the screen.
On The Most Challenging Scene He Ever Filmed / On A Scene He Would Never Want To Perform Again
Even the most accomplished actors face their share of challenges, and for Rajkummar Rao, one of the trickiest moments came during the filming of Ludo. Reflecting on a particularly tough scene where he was required to deliver a monologue, he shares, “Jab maine script padha toh socha yeh kaise hoga? Bohot tough laga. Aur uspe maine apne per pe kulhadi maari ki isko Mithun da ki tarah dance karte hue karte hein. Phir jab woh hota hai tab apko lagta hai ki 10th ke Math ka board exam – yeh ho gaya ek baar ab mai isko dobara nahi karunga.”
English translation: “When I read the script, I wondered how I would pull it off—it felt incredibly difficult. And then, I made it even harder for myself by suggesting (to the director) that I perform it while dancing like Mithun da (Chakraborty). When the time came, it felt like taking a 10th-grade math board exam—once was enough, and I wouldn’t do it again.”
On the Sting of Being Replaced in Projects
Every actor has faced the disappointment of being replaced in a film, and Rajkummar is no exception. He recalls, “Ek do baar aisa hua ki mujhe film mili aur phir sab kuch sahi raha, lekin mujhe uss film se hata diya gaya for some reason. Woh mera failure toh nahi unka failure hai ki woh theek se handle nahi kar paaye. Par un cheezon ne mujhe sikhaya ki just be ready…Jab mai baadme dekhta hun toh lagta hai ki shayad sahi tha. Actually mere hisse ka nahi tha yeh – ya toh woh film bani nahi ya kisi aur ne kiya toh uss kirdaar ke baare mein baat nahi hui. Then I feel ki yeh sahi hai, upar wala jab aapke saath hota hai toh apko sahi guide karte rehta hai.”
English translation: “There were a couple of times when everything was going well, but then I was dropped from the film for some reason. That wasn’t my failure; it was theirs for not handling it properly. Those experiences taught me to always be prepared. Looking back, I realize it might have been for the best—either the film never got made, or the character wasn’t impactful. I believe that when the universe is guiding you, everything falls into place.”
On Comparing International and Indian Film Industries
Rajkummar offers a nuanced take on the differences between the Indian and international film industries. “Bahar hein kaafi achhe actors. Actually aap kharab gin sakte ho ungliyon pe…baaki toh ache hi hai. Ache toh sab hi hai, phir bohot ache hai , aur phir greats hai,” he says. However, his view of the Indian industry is less optimistic. “Humare yahan toh achhe aap ungliyo pe gin sakte ho kyuki kharab ki toh bohot badi list hai.”
English Translation: “There are plenty of great actors abroad—you can count the bad ones on your fingers. Everyone is good, some are very good, and then there are the greats,” he says. “Here, you can count the good actors on your fingers because the list of bad ones is much longer.”
On Manifesting To Work In ‘Kai Po Che’
Rajkummar shares an intriguing story about how he manifested his role in Kai Po Che! He explains, “I enjoyed it (talking of Three Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat). Isse pehle unke ek aur book (One Night at The Call Center) ki film ban chuki thi aur mujhe pata tha ki woh writer hai jinke books pe film ban rahi hai. Mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai jab mai naya-naya Bombay aaya tha, tab maine book padhi thi Three Mistakes of My Life, and I actually manifested it to the universe. Teen characters hai iss book mai, ispe film banegi kabhi toh I hope ki mujhe mil jaaye ek character. I didn’t say which one but I really hoped ek character mil jaaye isme se…and then Kai Po Che happened. It’s so surreal but true.”
English Translation: “I enjoyed reading The Three Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat. Before that, one of his other books, One Night at the Call Center, had already been adapted into a film, so I knew he was a writer whose books were getting turned into movies. I still remember, when I was new in Bombay, I read Three Mistakes of My Life and actually manifested it to the universe. There are three characters in the book, and I hoped that if a film was ever made, I would get one of those roles. I didn’t specify which one, but I really wished for it—and then Kai Po Che! happened. It’s surreal but true.”
On What Fans Can Expect From ‘Stree 2’
Concluding the episode, Rajkummar remarks that fans of ‘Stree’ have much to look forward to, in its sequel. “Bohot maza aane wala hai—same duniya hai, same log hai, Vicky bhi wohi hai, rakshak bhi wohi hai but it’s definitely bigger. Threat bhi badi hai iss baar, pehli wali se, lekin aapko maza ayega. I think jis tarah se trailer ko response aaya tha we were all actually overwhelmed. We are really looking forward to know what people feel about it now.”
English Translation: “It’s going to be a blast—it’s the same world with the same characters, Vicky is back as the protector. But it’s definitely bigger this time. The threat is greater than before, and you’ll love it. The response to the trailer was overwhelming, and we are really looking forward to know what people feel about it now.”
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