There’s a reason why Mumbai is called the city of dreams! It is not just a city but an emotion that resonates with every Mumbaikar and the people, who moved to Mumbai with a dream to pursue their passion and achieve success. While some are living it, some are pursuing it. More than a decade ago, a Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) graduate moved to Mumbai with a passion to become an actor and began his journey to chase his dreams. From a blink-and-miss role in Ram Gopal Verma's 2010 political thriller, Rann to becoming the choice of every director-producer and the most sought-after actor of Bollywood, Rajkummar Rao is a phenomenal star that the industry was blessed with more than twelve years ago. (Also Read: Aamir Ali's Pictures With 'Mystery Girl' Makes Fans Curious If She's Estranged Wife, Sanjeeda Shaikh)
Rajkummar Rao doesn’t come from a Bollywood family lineage but that didn’t stop him from chasing his dream and in the world of nepotism, he had found his voice. There is nothing cliché about Rajkummar, not even his love for his CityLights co-star, Patralekhaa. Rajkummar and Patralekhaa have redefined the word 'relationship goals' for us. Every picture and video of Patralekhaa and Rajkummar reflects their beautiful relationship. Rajkummar and Patralekhaa had ringed in 2021 at Gstaad, Switzerland and wished their fans with an adorable picture from the trip. Posing like Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge on the Saanen Bridge, Rajkummar and Patralekhaa had captioned their picture as “Happy New Year everyone” followed by a heart emoji.
Rajkummar Rao’s upcoming film, The White Tiger will premiere on Netflix on January 22, 2021, in which he is starred opposite Priyanka Chopra and Adarsh Gourav. Directed by Ramin Bahrani, The White Tiger is an adaptation of Aravind Adiga's Booker Prize-winning debut novel by the same name. On spotting a hoarding of the poster of The White Tiger in New York, Rajkummar’s proud girlfriend, Patralekhaa lauded him on his journey from Gurugram to NY. Sharing a picture of the billboard, Patralekhaa wrote, “@rajkummar_rao your hoarding is up in #newyork What?? Remember the first time we saw Times Square hahah who knew back then? What a journey Gurugram to New York.” Sharing the same picture, Rajkummar wrote, "Hello New York. #TheWhiteTiger."
On completing 10 years in the industry, Rajkummar Rao looked back at his decade-long journey while reminiscing that being an actor was his dream as a kid. Thanking everyone for trusting him and his Karma Bhoomi Mumbai, Rajkummar had written, “It’s been 10 years for me in the industry. A dream that I saw in my hometown as a kid and to actually see it coming alive is nothing but blessings. Big thanks to all my Co-actors, directors, producers, writers & technicians & Many thanks to YOU, the audience and cinema lovers all across the world. It wouldn’t have been possible without ur love & support. Thank you my KarmaBhoomi #Mumbai. It’s just a humble beginning for me. I’ll always try to push my boundaries and to entertain you and engage you with my work.” (Also Read: Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Was In Love With This Actress, Broke Up With Her To Marry Sharmila Tagore)
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In 2018, for an interview with Humans of Bombay, Rajkummar Rao had thrown some light on his journey in Bollywood. To begin with, Rajkummar had spoken about his fascination with Shah Rukh Khan and how it wasn’t a cakewalk for him to make it big in the industry. Rajkummar had said, “Growing up, I was fascinated with Shah Rukh Sir––I used to stare at his posters and often think that if an outsider could make it as big as him, then maybe there was hope for me. It wasn’t rosy though––I didn’t get a lot of work after I came to Mumbai. I only managed small ads here and there. Things you won’t even recollect––I’d be like the 10th person standing in some ad! I made about Rs. 10,000 a month––but still, there were days where I didn’t have money, and I’d call my friends asking to share their meal. Giving up was never an option. There was never a plan B for me. I was constantly on the hunt for auditions – I met with countless ADs and casting directors. They would call me in for the smallest of roles and I would try to convince them to at least let me try out the bigger parts...but I was turned down. But I didn’t let any of it demotivate me – I believed that someone would see my talent.”
Speaking of how he never gave up till he finally bagged Love Sex Aur Dhokha and the anecdote of his first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan, Rajkummar Rao had continued, “I was also very persistent – I remember constantly following up with Atul Mongia till he finally called me for the audition of Love Sex Aur Dhokha. I did around 3-4 tests. A week went by and I hadn’t heard back – and finally it happened...everything I had worked for culminated in that one moment. I was alone at home, when I got the most important call of my life. The words were, ‘Ho gaya hai. You got the film.’ I fell to my knees, called my mother. The movie released and I got a lot of love... that’s when the doors opened. But I’ll tell you a stand out moment for me – I think it was after the release of Queen. I was shooting in Mehboob. And I heard that Shah Rukh sir was also shooting there. So I thought this was my chance––maybe I could go meet him. I sent a message across to him––I didn’t think he’d know me, but, he called me to his trailer – he knew my entire bio! He made me feel so special. I was already a fan, but that day I was probably his biggest. I was nervous and in awe throughout. I once spoke to his posters...and now there he was, in front of me. How can I even explain what that felt like?”
Speaking of the importance of believing in oneself and how it helped him, Rajkummar Rao had said, “What’s ironic is, that the people who in the beginning weren’t interested in me for a lead role––today offer me films. I’m the same actor, the same person, but now I’m being offered the roles. I’ve believed in my craft, even when things weren’t going well. I just knew – I put it out in the Universe and attracted it all. Remember, no matter what anyone else says, no one is going to believe in you, the way YOU do – so hustle, and let the Universe do the rest.” (Also Read: Ishita Dutta's Husband, Vatsal Sheth Helps Her With Kite Flying On The Occasion Of Makar Sakranti)
We wish good luck to Rajkummar and the entire team of The White Tiger.
