Rajkummar Rao is one of India’s most respected contemporary actors, known for his dedication, versatility and grounded performances. A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), his career began with small roles before breaking through with films like Love S*x Aur Dhokha and Shahid, which earned him a National Award. Over the years, he has consistently chosen meaningful cinema over mainstream formulas, establishing himself with standout performances in films like Newton, Trapped, Stree and Badhaai Do. His journey has been one of persistence, marked by struggles, unconventional choices and an unshakable belief in his craft.
As Rajkummar Rao gears up for the release of his new film Maalik, he reflected on an important phase in his early acting career involving Gangs of Wasseypur, the cult classic directed by Anurag Kashyap. In an interview, he shared that he was initially cast in a parallel lead role alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The story was supposed to revolve around both their characters and he even travelled to Wasseypur with Nawaz and writer Zeeshan Qadri for character preparation. Rajkummar immersed himself in the local culture, recording people’s voices to understand their dialect and environment better. He recalled the time spent there as immensely enjoyable and creatively fulfilling.
However, things didn’t go as planned. While shooting patchwork for Ragini MMS, Rajkummar received a call from Anurag Kashyap, who informed him that the script had changed and his role had been significantly reduced. Anurag left the decision to him, saying that he would love to have him in the film but it was up to Rajkummar to decide if he still wanted to do it. Rajkummar, despite the disappointment, chose to stay on. He told Anurag that he was keen to work with him regardless of the role’s size.
He admitted feeling a little disheartened at the time, especially since the film didn’t have a big budget and no one was being paid much. But for Rajkummar, it wasn’t about the money, it was about getting an opportunity to work and grow as an actor.
Looking back, Rajkummar acknowledges that this decision played a key role in his career. Even though his part in Gangs Of Wasseypur was reduced, it was Anurag Kashyap who recommended him to filmmaker Hansal Mehta for Shahid, a project that became a game-changer for him. That film not only brought him critical acclaim but also established him as one of the most promising actors of his generation.
