Rajkummar Rao has been riding high on the success of his latest release, Stree 2, co-starring Shraddha Kapoor, Abhishek Banerjee, Pankaj Tripathi and Aparshakti Khurrana. On the 8th day since its release, the Amar Kaushik film has grossed over Rs. 429 crore at the global box office. Recently, the 39-year-old actor recalled about his struggling days when he had just started out in the industry.
While conversing with Raj Shamani on his podcast, Figuring Out, Rajkummar reminisced about getting an offer for Dibakar Banerjee's crime drama, LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha. He recalled that he went to the director's office after seeing an advertisement for the film and was told to see casting director, Atul Mongia. After getting Atul's number when he called, he was requested to send images, which he claimed to have done multiple times before being asked to attend an audition.
Rajkummar shared that he wore quirky clothes to the audition because of the brief given to him, and someone asked him what kind of clothes he was wearing. This made him believe that this opportunity slipped away from his hands, but that wasn't the case. Recalling how he received a call 3-4 days after the audition, Rajkummar said:
"I gave the audition, and after three or four days, I got a call saying, 'Dibakar liked your audition. But you have to shed weight from your face.' I said, 'Yes, I will do it.' In one week, I lost significant weight. I ran a lot. I came back for the second and third rounds. Eventually, I got the call that everyone looks forward to, 'Congratulations, you are Dibakar's lead in his next film'."
Further continuing his thoughts on the same, Rajkummar shared that he did not receive much money for his first stint, but he was thankful that he got the opportunity to kickstart his career in the industry. He also mentioned he didn't want the work for money but for experience. Rajkummar was quoted as saying:
"I was like, 'Thank God. I got a start'. Of course, it didn't fetch me any money. I got Rs 11000 for the first film. But it was not for the money, work was important."
In the same conversation, Rajkummar complimented his wife, Patralekhaa, for being his constant support. The actor revealed that his command of English was not good back then, so his wife had helped him in overcoming this obstacle in his path. Sharing how he was underconfident due to the lack of his English speaking skills, Rajkummar shared:
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"My command over English was horrible. I used to be underconfident. I couldn't speak five words in a sentence. But she helped me with that, knowingly, unknowingly. She really helped me with that."
Check out the interview here.
Rajkummar Rao married Patralekhaa in 2021 after dating her for over ten years. Recently, the Citylights actress opened up about her pregnancy rumours and shared that she sometimes gets bothered by such speculations. She revealed being affected by such speculations initially, but now she has learned to move on.
Over the course of his career, Rajkummar Rao has starred in several popular and blockbuster hits. In 2024, he led Srikanth, Mr. & Mrs. Mahi and Stree 2 and impressed the audience with all of his performances. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old actor has Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video and Bhul Chuk Maaf in the pipeline as of now.
What do you think of Rajkummar Rao's revelations about his struggling days and his wife, Patralekhaa's support?
Also Read: Saira Banu Says Husband, Dilip Kumar's Most Precious Gift Changed Her Life Forever, 'Held My Hand..'
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