Hopefully in future, I'll do one film in two years: Rajkummar Rao

Every year, there’s that one actor who shines at the cinemas brighter in a galaxy full of stars and superstars. In 2017, it’s Rajkummar Rao, who has had a dream run at the movies. He managed to clock in four releases with one more movie — Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana — awaiting its turn at the box office. He also squeezed in a special appearance in Raabta. With Trapped, Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Newton, he sure has an enviable record this year. The actor is also ready to take his first step in the digital world with Bose: Dead/Alive.

2017 is being called Rajkummar Rao’s year....

I think it’s good cinema’s year. I am very happy about that. I feel fortunate that I got to be a part of some really wonderful films this year. And I really hope it continues. I don’t want to stop here.

How have you managed to pack in five movies and a cameo (Raabta)?

It’s manageable. That’s what I realised. In 2016, Aligarh was the only movie that released. I was shooting non-stop the whole of 2016 and 2017 and it’s mere coincidence that my producers decided to release the movies in 2017 itself. But no complaints as long as I get time to promote all of them. I do one film at a time — I can’t do two movies at a once — so I have to finish one, take some time off and then start shooting the next one. But I think one can manage it.

Is this the pace you want to work at?

No, eventually, my final plan would be to do one film in two years. But I know, as an actor I will have to create that kind of demand for me from my audience.

For that, I will have to keep doing such films that people wait for my releases, and they say that if Raj is in it, it will be a good movie, so let’s watch it. For that, I will have to keep being part of some wonderful films.

What’s your take on biopics? Are they easier because you have the material or is it difficult to portray someone else?

They are not easy for sure. I feel biopics are a huge responsibility on our shoulders because people know that person. There will definitely be comparisons. It’s a big challenge when you pick a real-life character to portray.

The perception is that movies have become real. Who would you give the credit to — the audience, the writers, or the filmmakers?

Everyone. The audience, of course, they make or break a film. They have accepted these films. They are investing their time and money in them, so the credit goes to them. Also, to the writers and filmmakers, who’re telling these stories, and in a different way. They are trying to bring realism into our cinema. That is probably the reason people are connecting to it so well.

While there is a lot of emphasis on a film’s publicity, many of the movies that did well actually took off due to word-of-mouth publicity. Which of the two do you think is more effective?

Word-of-mouth publicity is definitely stronger than just promotions. There’s a formula now that everyone is just following to promote their film, but eventually, it’s your film that speaks for itself. I am a strong believer of that. Of course, we promoted Newton, too, but not in a really big, fancy way, but then the film spoke for itself and it did amazing numbers. That’s a great change. Our audiences have definitely evolved and they know the difference between a good film and a bad film. And they are very smart. It’s their hard-earned money, so they will want to spend it on the right film.

In Bareilly as well as Shaadi, your characters go through major change. It’s almost like playing two characters in the same movie. Is that fun?

It’s definitely more fun when you get to play lot of shades in one film itself. Like in Shaadi, the first and second halves are two different personalities, but at heart, they are the same people. His heart still beats the same way. But the fun is in the way I can still add variation to it and make it different. They have to sound different, look different, their thought process has changed so they are going to respond to situations differently.

What’s the balance you try to strike when it comes to becoming a character by living like him as opposed to finding something within you to shape him?

There’s no rule or formula to approach a character. Whatever helps you, you can take that route. I feel that as an actor if there are certain physical demands then you should certainly try and achieve. It depends on that character. For a film like Omerta, Trapped, or Shahid, it’s a different process. You really have to understand the psyche of the character and internally you have to get that character. When you do lighthearted films like Bareilly or Shaadi Mein..., the mental pressure is not that much which you face otherwise in other films. It would depend on the film that you are doing at that point in time.