Rajkummar Rao is currently enjoying the immense success of his recently released horror-comedy ‘Stree 2’. While the actor is one of the most loved actors in Bollywood today, he has opened up about his struggles. Speaking to News18, the 39-year-old actor shared that he came from nowhere and it was really tough to survive in his initial years.
Rao said his heart is full of gratitude and he feels God has been really kind to him throughout his journey. “I have received a lot of love from the audience and they have accepted me the way I am. I have not come from nowhere,” Rajkummar Rao said, stressing that he comes from a humble background and did not grow up with money. “I have received a lot of messages saying it feels like a personal victory, which is overwhelming,” he added.
The Shahid actor further revealed that his journey was not easy but rather ‘tough’. Rajkummar recalled that his troubles started right from his theatre days in Delhi. There were times when he did not have money to take transport, he would cycle 70 kms to and fro. “Then, coming to Mumbai after FTII – it’s an expensive city. So, just surviving here was a challenge. I didn’t know anyone, where to start, whom to meet. I used to find my own way,” Rao said.
Also read: Rajkummar Rao reveals if he wants to create a brand identity for himself like Shah Rukh Khan: ‘I don’t want to be a slave…’
While things were going haywire, Rao says the support of his family members, especially his mother, was heartwarming. The late Kamlesh Yadav ensured that his son was motivated to do his work with honesty and integrity. The Shrikant actor says his mother knew he was passionate and added, “So, those blessings and God showed me the right path and I met the right people.”
Rajkummar Rao made his debut in 2010 with Dibakar Banerjee’s Love Sex Aur Dhokha, but his financial situation did not change overnight. “Money remained a problem for a long time even after I started working,” he said. He said that even then money never became a source of motivation for him. He continued to look for good work rather than fame and money.
Stree 2 is currently in theatres near you.
Also read: Did you know Stree 2 actor Rajkummar Rao was paid just this much for his debut film Love Sex Aur Dhokha? Says ‘work was important’