One of the most promising actors of this generation, Rajkummar Rao sits down for one of his most revealing interviews yet, in the latest episode of In The Ring With Filmfare, hosted by Jitesh Pillaai, Editor-in-Chief, Filmfare. From critically lauded performances in Shahid, Aligarh, and Trapped to crowd-pleasers like the Stree franchise, Badhaai Do, and Bareilly Ki Barfi, the actor’s career is marked by fearless choices and unconventional roles. With an ever-evolving filmography and an unyielding passion for his craft, Rajkummar continues to redefine what it means to be a leading man in Bollywood today.

In a conversation that spans craft, personal growth, and the meaning of success, Rajkummar reflects on the moments that have shaped his life on and off the screen, from his early days in Gurgaon to the challenges and triumphs that continue to define his artistic journey. He also opens up with rare honesty about how the chaos of Mumbai, the discipline of theatre, and the sting of rejection all helped build the actor – and the person – he is today.

Speaking about his childhood and the one piece of advice he’d give to his younger self, Rajkummar shares with a smile, “I would tell my younger self that whatever you're doing, please keep doing it, because all that you are doing right now is going to help you so much once you become an actor after 20 or 25 years. I had such an amazing childhood. Of course, I was not born with money, but I was such a mischievous kid that I was always outdoors with my friends, meeting all kinds of people. And all those experiences have helped me become an actor. You become an actor through experiences – the more you have from life, the better. So I’m going to tell him, ‘brother, you're on the right track, keep it up.’”

Discussing the overwhelming influence of social media in today’s fast-paced world, he highlights, “Honestly, I’m not a fan of social media. I only use Instagram to share my work – like a trailer drop, film assets, or a campaign I’m contractually bound to post about. Beyond that, I don’t enjoy it. I miss the mystery that once surrounded actors. Now, everything is out there – what they eat, where they go, what they’re wearing. Given a chance, I’d quit social media any day. I have a life beyond acting, and I want to protect that. I can’t be that person who says, ‘Hey, I just woke up,’ or ‘Look, I’m on vacation.’ I want people to know me for my work, and thankfully, that’s how it’s been so far.”

Recalling memorable moments from his time at FTII, Rajkummar speaks about drawing inspiration from legends. He notes, “Once, Jaya Bachchan visited FTII. So, we all know she's brutally honest. I saw her diploma film; I think it was called Suman. It was such a beautiful film, black and white of course, and she’s so amazing in that. She was always this brilliant actor. We asked her so many questions about her performance. So, a lot of Q&A would happen for that. With Irrfan sir being there, I think he was, hands down, one of the most talented actors we've seen in this country. With him, we were all just sitting like kids, like there's this magician in front of us who’s done some wonderful magic on screen. We would just listen to his stories, his performance in The Namesake and everything. Those two and a half years were the best years of our lives.”

Speaking about his role in Badhaai Do, he shares, “Badhaai Do was amazing. What I found beautiful about the script was that, at its core, it was about love—just two people in love. I’m not from the LGBTQ+ community, but I have many friends who are, and their stories made me realize how lonely the journey can be. First comes the internal struggle with identity, questioning what’s happening in your body, wondering if it’s okay. Then comes the fear of telling your family, and finally, the weight of society’s judgment. It’s a fight at every stage. My job was to authentically depict love. I know what it’s like to be in love, and I just had to bring that emotion to the screen. That’s what made the film work—it was honest, heartfelt, and all about love. And for me, the most special part will always be the climax.”

Talking about his highly anticipated film Maalik, Rajkummar remarks, “I haven’t done anything like Maalik before. To feel that kind of power and carry such an aura on screen through a character, that’s new for me. I usually play the boy next door, someone relatable or predictable. This time, it’s a powerful story with a role I’ve never explored. I’ve been offered action films before, but they lacked depth. This one has both a strong narrative and a character who’s raw, rugged, and believable, yet full of swag and presence. Just standing there, he commands attention. That’s what excited me the most – figuring out how to bring that energy alive, because I’ve never done this before.”

Revisiting his love story with his wife Patralekhaa, Rajkummar expresses, “Patralekhaa has always been one of my most honest critics till date. We met when we were going to Pune for a shoot. She and her sister were in the same car. I remember, she was not talking to me. I broke the ice first and came to know that she was the one who had done the Tata Docomo advertisement, and at that moment, I thought that was not me, the universe was doing everything, it was a signal from the universe. Because a few days ago, when I saw the advertisement on TV, I thought, ‘Oh! The girl in the ad is beautiful, I wish I could marry her.’ During that shoot, we started chatting, and a few months later, we started dating each other. Getting married to her is not much different as life earlier. But a very little different as we are called like husband and wife, yeah it is beautiful.”

Watch the full episode of In The Ring With Filmfare ft. Rajkummar Rao now only on Filmfare’s YouTube Channel!