Rajkummar Rao

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Rajkummar Rao – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Explore Rajkummar Rao’s inspiring journey: from humble beginnings in Gurgaon to becoming one of India’s most versatile actors. Discover his key roles, awards, personal insights, and lessons for aspiring artists.

Introduction

Rajkummar Rao (born Raj Kumar Yadav; 31 August 1984) is an acclaimed Indian film actor known for his versatility, commitment to craft, and ability to inhabit diverse characters in both independent and commercial cinema. Shahid, Newton, Badhaai Do, and Stree.

Rao is often cited as part of a new wave in Hindi cinema: actors who choose challenging and socially relevant scripts over purely mass-market fare. His career is as much about choices and transformations as it is about box office success.

Early Life and Family

Rajkummar Rao was born on 31 August 1984 in Prem Nagar, Gurgaon, Haryana. Raj Kumar Yadav.

His father, Satyapal Yadav, worked as a government employee in the Haryana revenue department, and his mother, Kamlesh Yadav, was a homemaker.

He completed his schooling in Gurgaon, including attendance at Blue Bells Model School. Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma (ARSD) College, University of Delhi, where he simultaneously got involved in theatre with groups like Kshitij and at the Shri Ram Centre.

In 2008, Rao graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, with a diploma in acting, and then moved to Mumbai to pursue film roles.

He changed his surname from “Yadav” to “Rao” in 2014 and added an extra “m” to “Rajkummar” — he explained the change was partly for his mother (numerological beliefs) and partly to have a unique screen identity.

Acting Career: Rise & Key Milestones

Early Break & Supporting Roles (2010–2012)

• Rao’s screen debut came in the anthology film Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010), directed by Dibakar Banerjee. His role was in one segment of the anthology.

• He then took on supporting roles in films like Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012) and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012).

• In Chittagong (2012), he played Lokenath Bal in a historical context.

Breakthrough & Critical Acclaim (2013–2016)

• The film Shahid (2013) was a major turning point. Rao portrayed the lawyer-activist Shahid Azmi, and his performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.

• He also starred in Kai Po Che! (2013), Queen (2014), and Aligarh (2015), each helping to broaden his range.

• In Trapped (2016), a survival drama with minimal dialogue and single location setting, he pushed himself physically and emotionally.

Commercial Success & Mature Roles (2017–Present)

• Rao gained wider commercial success with films like Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017).

• Newton (2017) — a film about Indian democracy and duty — earned him international acclaim and the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Actor.

• His first English-language role was in The White Tiger (2021), streaming globally on Netflix.

• In Badhaai Do (2022), he took on the challenging role of a gay police officer, a film that won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

• Recent works include Ludo (2020), Roohi, Monica, O My Darling (2022), Bheed (2023) and Srikanth (2024).

• He also reprised a commercial success with Stree 2 (2024), which became his highest-grossing release to date.

Style, Themes & Public Image

Rao is known for his immersive commitment to roles, attention to detail, and willingness to experiment with genres (drama, thriller, horror, satire).

He often collaborates with directors who want depth over spectacle, choosing parts that allow emotional complexity rather than typical hero tropes.

In public image, he is modest, grounded, and avoids the glitz and glamor often associated with big stars.

He is a vegetarian and has been recognized by PETA as one of India’s “Hottest Vegetarian Celebrities.”

Personal Life

• Rao married actress Patralekha on 15 November 2021 in Chandigarh.

• As of mid-2025, the couple have announced they are expecting their first child.

• He formally identifies as Hindu but has expressed resonance with elements of Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam.

Select Quotes & Insights

“I still don’t get car parking in my society.”
A humorous self-note on his life as a public figure.

“I can use either surname (Rao or Yadav) … the extra ‘m’ is for my mother’s faith in numerology.”
On his name change and its personal significance.

On striving as an actor:
He has spoken about how he researches intensely for roles, lives in character, and does not shy from discomfort in service of authenticity.

Lessons & Legacy

1. Craft over convention
   Rajkummar Rao’s career shows that dedication to specialization and integrity in role choice can bring both critical & commercial success.

2. Versatility is strength
   His ability to perform in dramas, thrillers, comedies, arthouse and mainstream films helps him stay resilient in a fluctuating industry.

3. Grounded persona matters
   He maintains humility and connection to everyday life, which strengthens his authenticity as an artist.

4. Growth through challenge
   Taking on roles that push him physically or emotionally (like Trapped, Newton, Badhaai Do) has expanded his capacity and reputation.