Rajkumar Rao said- Respecting women in films is important for me, I have faced a lot of hardships to reach here

When you came to Mumbai 14 years ago, you were an outsider. Today you have become the audience’s favourite star. How do you see this journey?

-Yes, in 2008 when I had just come to Mumbai after studying from the Film Institute, I did not know anyone here. I had no idea where to start. I just had a fire to do something. I had a passion that this is what I have to do in life. I did not have a plan B. Even when I did not get work every day, I used to work on my acting skills. My mother gave me a lot of courage in that passion. Within two years, I got my first film ‘Love Sex Aur Dhokha’. After that I did small roles. ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Shaitan’, ‘Talaash’ and ‘Ragini MMS’, but then ‘Kai Po Che’ and ‘Shahid’ changed a lot in my career.

‘Shahid’ got me my first National Award. ‘Kai Po Che’ got a lot of love. My ‘Queen’ and ‘City Lights’ were really liked. After that, the biggest shift in my career came with ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’. When people saw me in a new avatar. People loved ‘Stree’ and ‘Ludo’. As an actor, I am enjoying that on one hand I am doing a film like ‘Shrikant’ and on the other hand an intense drama like ‘Mahi’. I am a part of a horror comedy like ‘Stree 2’. As an actor, this is what I wanted to do.

The credit for breaking the star system in the industry goes to you as well as Ayushmann Khurrana and Nawazuddin Siddiqui to a large extent, otherwise our industry has always been star-dominated, what would you like to say?

– I am happy that good films and stories are working. Whoever you have named, they have always tried to do good work. Vicky Kaushal’s name also comes in this list. Vicky has always pushed himself, has tried to do good work. Ranbir has pushed himself a lot. There are many actors of today’s era who are doing excellent work. It is good that the era of good stories has come back. Who would have thought ten years ago that horror-comedy would also be liked and would prove to be a blockbuster. Times are changing.

Which was the most difficult phase for you? Did you ever hear the taunt that you have come to become an actor?

– The initial phase was very difficult for me, when I had just come to Mumbai. Actually, the difficulties started from the time when I decided to become an actor in Delhi. I used to do theatre. That was also a period of struggle. Travelling from Gurgaon to Delhi. Getting pushed around in a crowded bus. Many times I used to go on a bicycle as well. I used to travel 70 kilometres on a bicycle. At that time, I had only one aim, to learn. When I came to Mumbai after the Film Institute, it was a very expensive city. I come from a very humble background and I did not have money then. I had to start afresh here, whereas this city was completely unfamiliar and the challenges were countless.

Have you ever heard that ‘this great man has come to become an actor’?

– Absolutely. In the beginning, it happened that I was asked to audition for a very small role or say a one scene role. I would say, Sir, that role seems better, I should audition for that, then I was told, no, no. You are right for a one scene role. I used to audition for that one scene role, but I did not get even that. But I would say, okay, if not this, then something else will happen. I never lost my patience and passion. I just kept on working.

How responsible are you regarding your on-screen roles? Now Varun Dhawan has said that he/she will not advertise alcohol on screen. On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor, who gave a blockbuster like ‘Animal’, has also faced a lot of criticism for being an alpha male. How cautious are you?

– My take is that if some aspect is very important for the character and without it the film will not have that impact, then I will definitely do it. But as an artist it is important that I am convinced about that aspect. I will definitely see that it is not sending a wrong message, but once I adopt it, I will definitely do it. Yes, I keep some things in mind, like I try to talk about gender equality, respect for women is very important for me. Now if there is a character like this, then it is a different matter. Like ‘Animal’, he/she is not an ideal man. The name of the film itself is ‘Animal’. You are being shown the story of an animal. To portray such a character, I will have to be that much convinced. I will have to understand his/her psyche, because there are people like this in the world.

It is very rare that a boy from a small town comes forward on the strength of his/her passion, I am thankful to God.

Rajkumar Rao, Actor

Apart from the Khans and Kapoors, you have your own fan following, which is very loyal.

– I am grateful to everyone for this. I know this is rare. It is very rare that a boy from a small town brings his/her passion and fire, yes I had learnt a lot from theatre and FTI. But when I got such unprecedented love, I understand that all this has happened by the grace of God. It is written in your hand to work hard honestly, the rest is in God’s hand.

Your horror-comedy ‘Stree 2’ has crossed the Rs 500 crore mark at the box office, how do you feel?

– I am very happy that the audience gave so much love. The audience liked ‘Stree’ and now ‘Stree 2’ is also attracting people. ‘Stree’ has its own fan following and now this love is increasing. This time people have watched it twice, thrice. My character Bikki is getting a lot of love. My phone is not stopping. There is a flood of calls and messages. I have received messages from many seniors and colleagues of the industry. I am also getting a lot of love on social media. I am happy that many people said that this is their own victory. It means that it touches my heart that people are feeling their victory in my victory, because they consider me one of their own. There can be no happier thing for me than that I came out from among all of you. All this success is due to the audience. The biggest thing is that a good film is running.

Do you believe in ghosts and witches?

– See, I believe a lot in negative energy. If someone tells me not to go to that place, there is something there, then I will not go there respecting the negative energy, because I do not believe in disturbing any kind of energy.

In your personal life, how does having an actress wife like Patralekhaa complete you?

She is my strength, my biggest critic. My courage. She is my first audience who watches my film. It means a lot to me if she likes the film. She herself is an actor. She is very sharp, smart and watches movies, so her review means a lot to me. Since we are husband and wife, partners, lovers and friends, everything. We are family, she gives me a lot of courage. Even when I feel a little down in life, her presence makes my life happy and when I feel that I might get out of control, she holds me and brings me down saying come down.