"For Ten Years Filmmakers Placed their Bets on Me": Rajkummar Rao's Ten Year Journey in the Indian Film Industry

One of the finest actors of his generation, Rajkummar Rao clocks 10 years in the Indian film industry. This day, a decade ago, he debuted with Dibakar Banerjee's Love Sex Aur Dhokha. Unlike newbies then who picked conventional roles, Rao took the offbeat path and lent his acting mettle to films that furthered the cause of cinema in the initial years of his career. In hindsight, the gamble paid off for Rao as some of the most celebrated filmmakers signed him on for challenging roles. He has been the flag bearer of this new wave of hindi cinema

Gradually, Rajkummar arrived at the awards' scene. In 2013, his performance in Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che! was bestowed with Best Supporting Actor at Zee Cine Awards. This accolade was closely followed by the prestigious National Film Award for the category Best Actor for his gripping act in Hansal Mehta's Shahid. Such was the appreciation that came in for Rao, that the Mehta directorial was hailed as his triumph. Acclaimed as a versatile actor by then, he dominated the following years with films such as Queen, CityLights and Aligarh. What arrested the attention of cinemagoers was his intense performance in Vikramaditya Motwane's Trapped. The spree of awards kicked in for Rao who won a Filmfare Critics' Award and a special mention at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. He bagged the Variety Asian Stars: Up Next Award at the International Film Festival & Awards, Macao. 

The versatile powerhouse then made an equally resonating impact in commercial cinema with the romance-comedy, Bareilly Ki Barfi. His comic timing in the said film was lauded with a Filmfare Award and a Star Screen Award. It was Rao's next film that celebrated him as one of the finest actors of his generation across the globe. This film was Amit V. Masurkar's Newton that became India's official entry to Oscars. With the black comedy, Rajkummar took home most of the awards of the year. Out of them all, the most prestigious being - the Asia Pacific Screen Award. Rajkummar's Newton won universal acclaim and was honoured with the International Federation of Art Cinemas (CICAE) Award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival. In the same year, the actor hit the ball out of the park with Hansal Mehta's Omerta that was received with unanimous appreciation at the Toronto International Film Festival. What sets Rao apart from his peers, is the international and countrywide recognition he garnered for his acting chops. 

The next Rao-starrer, Stree established him as a bankable powerhouse by marking his entry into the 100-crore club. In 2019, the actor was recognised as a gamechanger. In Prakash Kovelamudi's Judgementall Hai Kya, the actor's varied portrayals kept the viewers hooked till the end.

About clocking ten years, the actor remarks,

I am glad that in the course of my decade-long journey, I had the honour of working with some of the best minds in the Hindi film industry. It had always been my endeavor to be part of inspiring cinema. I'm very happy that for ten years filmmakers trusted me with their vision and placed their bets on my humble talents. I cannot thank them and the viewers enough.

- Rajkummar Rao

As Rajkummar completes a decade today, there's much excitement about how 2020 pans out for him. His slate includes Ludo, Roohi Afzana, the Netflix adaptation of The White Tiger, Chhalaang, Badhaai Do and Chupke Chupke.