Rajkumar Rao’s career is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He continues to push boundaries, experimenting with different genres and roles, and in doing so, has carved out a niche for himself in the industry.
Rajkumar Rao is one of Bollywood's most versatile actors, known for his ability to slip into any role with ease. Starting his career with small roles, Rann (2010), Ragini MMS (2011), and Talaash (2012) to mention a few, he quickly made a name for himself with his dedication and talent. Over the years, Rajkumar has become synonymous with quality cinema, consistently delivering performances that leave a lasting impact. From intense dramas to light-hearted comedies, he's done it all, and each role shows a different facet of his incredible range.
Here’s a list of six movies where Rajkumar Rao absolutely nailed it:
Rajkumar’s portrayal of Shahid Azmi in Shahid (2013) was a turning point. The film was not just critically acclaimed but also earned him a National Award. This role demonstrated his ability to portray real-life characters with nuance and empathy and set him apart from his contemporaries. The intensity and realism he brought to the role solidified his place as an actor who is not afraid to work with complex, socially relevant subjects without compromising on art and storytelling.
In CityLights (2014), Rao delivers a heart-wrenching performance as a migrant struggling to survive in Mumbai. Teaming up with his real-life partner Patralekhaa, Rajkumar portrayed the struggles of an uprooted villager forced to move to Mumbai in search of a better life. With no roof above his head and three mouths to feed, the tension contained in the narrative is palpable. Rao’s performance is heart-wrenching and realistic, making you feel every bit of his character's agony and desperation.
In this biographical drama, Rajkumar plays an intrepid journalist who seeks and investigates the life and events in Siras’ life that led to a string of misfortunes, blatant discrimination, and injustices. The two men form a tentative yet firm bond. It is from this bond that the film derives much of its poetic edge. Though Manoj Bajpayee played the lead, Rajkumar's subtle and sensitive portrayal of the journalist stood out, showcasing his ability to support a story while still leaving a mark.
Trapped in unarguably a one-man show with Rajkumar carrying the entire movie on his shoulders. He plays a man who accidentally gets locked in his new apartment without food, water, or electricity. The way he conveyed fear, desperation, and ultimately hope in a confined space is nothing short of brilliant.
Rajkumar Rao won critical acclaim for his role as Newton Kumar, a principled government clerk (Newtown) from Chhattisgarh tasked with overseeing an election in a conflict-ridden area of Dandakaranya. Newton does not flinch from wearing his integrity as a badge of honour. To an extent, Newton has a textbook idea of the world around him, which of course betrays him time and again. Rao’s portrayal of a man with rigid demeanour and stern conscience who is caught between ideals and ground realities of Indian society is a brilliant offering to the film fraternity.
Showing off his comic timing, Rajkumar played the role of Vicky, a small-town tailor, in this horror-comedy. Stree’s subversion of patriarchy and the accepted norms of horror-comedy were shouldered responsibly by Rao. His ability to balance humour with moments of genuine fear and confusion made this film a massive hit and proved that he can excel in roles that do not aim for social reforms or moral preaching, well, at least not so straightforwardly.
Whether he is leading the charge or playing a supporting role, he never fails to leave a lasting impression.
