This talented actor, an industry outsider, achieved success through hard work. He fondly recalls buying desi ghee with his first salary, a significant milestone. To pursue acting, he cycled 140 km daily to attend classes. Having shared screen space with Janhvi Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, he’s now making waves again in Bollywood.
Rajkummar Rao, the powerhouse performer of Bollywood, has once again made headlines as his upcoming film Bhool Chuk Maaf is now set to release on Amazon Prime Video on May 16 instead of hitting theatres on May 9. With Wamiqa Gabbi as his co-star, the buzz around the film continues to grow.
A Humble Beginning and a Dream
Born in Gurugram, Haryana, Rajkummar grew up in a modest household. His father worked in the government’s revenue department. Despite financial challenges, Rajkummar pursued his passion for acting. He once revealed that he cycled 140 km daily to attend acting classes in Delhi before finally enrolling in a college to get a bus pass and save money.
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In a heartfelt moment on Zakir Khan’s show, Rajkummar recalled earning Rs 300 by teaching dance to a child and buying groceries and desi ghee—a luxury for his family. He also shared that his school teachers paid his tuition fees for three years when his family couldn’t afford it.
The Journey to the Big Screen
Inspired by Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar joined FTII Pune in 2008 and debuted with Love Sx Aur Dhokha* in 2010. After struggling in Mumbai—with only Rs 18 in his bank account at one point he gained critical acclaim for films like Kai Po Che!, Shahid, and Stree.
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Also Read: Haldi to Shaadi and back again: Rajkummar Rao’s hilarious dialogues in Bhool Chuk Maaf
From Stage to Stardom and Love
He changed his surname from Yadav to Rao and added an extra ‘m’ based on his mother’s belief in numerology. A trained Taekwondo practitioner, he has worked alongside stars like Shraddha Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor. Personally, Rajkummar married actress Patralekhaa in 2021 after a decade-long relationship that began on a music video set.
