Rajkummar Rao seems to be flying high after the success of his latest release, Bareilly Ki Barfi and his film Newton being chosen as Indian’s official entry to the Oscars.
After intense films such as D-Day, Shahid, City Lights, Aligarh and Trapped, seeing Rajkummar play a comic character in Bareilly Ki Barfi was a rather pleasant change. Even his latest release, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, shows the actor doing something which fans don’t get to see him do often.
To if he has finally taken the plunge and is exploring comedy as a genre, Rajkummar said, “I want to try, experiment, explore and tap into every genre; even slapstick comedy. I’m a big fan of Andaaz Apna Apna. It’s a little over the top but I am a big fan of performances. Also, films such as Hindi Medium, Tanu Weds Manu — they are very different comedy films. I enjoy watching comedy on-screen as long as it’s not stupid and is making some sense.”
Recalling what made him take on Bareilly Ki Barfi, which in a way, let him break free from all the serious roles that he has portrayed on screen, Rajkummar shares, “I was not collecting any thoughts that I should do this film for any other reason. Film got me excited and the character I played was really fascinating. It was the area and character that I had not explored before. And that was my sole reason to say yes.”
Asked if comedy comes naturally to him, the actor laughs, “I am still exploring that. In a way, it’s challenging because comedy is all about timing. I personally believe that most of the credit goes to our writers because they write such amazing situations, and as actors, you just have to be there and do them honestly.”
And what’s his take on double meaning sex comedies that often go on to make money at the box office? “Well, that’s not my favourite. I’m sure they have their own audience and that’s the reason some of them are even successful but. But as an audience, I’m more of a fan of subtle humour —something situational where you are not forcing something on me as a viewer,” quips the actor, who would be next seen in Fanney Khan opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.