Basic Details

Rajkummar Rao, born Raj Kumar Yadav on August 31, 1984, in Gurugram, Haryana, India, is a celebrated Indian actor known for his versatility and commitment to his craft. He has made a significant mark in Hindi cinema with his performances in both independent and commercial films.

Physical Stats and More

Biography

Rajkummar Rao’s journey from a middle-class family in Gurugram to becoming a prominent figure in Bollywood is inspiring. He developed an interest in acting during his school days and pursued it through theater groups in Delhi. He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, in 2008, and moved to Mumbai to pursue his acting career.​

Relationships & More

Career

Early Career and Breakthrough (2010–2013)

Rao commenced his cinematic journey with Dibakar Banerjee’s experimental anthology Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). Subsequent roles in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012) and Talaash (2012) showcased his adaptability. His portrayal of Govind Patel in Kai Po Che! (2013) garnered critical acclaim, but it was his role as human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi in Shahid (2013) that earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.

Ascendancy in Cinema (2014–2018)

Rao’s nuanced performances in Queen (2014) and Aligarh (2015) further solidified his reputation. In Trapped (2016), he delivered a compelling performance as a man confined in an apartment, earning his second Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. His role in Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. The satirical drama Newton (2017) not only received international acclaim but also secured Rao the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor.

In 2018, Rao starred in the horror-comedy Stree, which became a major commercial success and earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

Digital Ventures and Diverse Roles (2019–2021)

Rao explored digital platforms with the web series Bose: Dead/Alive (2017), portraying Subhas Chandra Bose. He continued to diversify his roles with performances in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019), Judgementall Hai Kya (2019), and Made in China (2019). In 2020, he featured in Anurag Basu’s anthology Ludo, which was released on Netflix and received positive reviews.

Recent Acclaim and Upcoming Projects (2022–Present)

Rao’s portrayal of a closeted gay man in Badhaai Do (2022) earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He continued to impress with roles in Monica, O My Darling (2022) and Bheed (2023). In 2024, he starred in Srikanth, a biopic of visually-impaired industrialist Srikanth Bolla, which received critical acclaim.

He also reprised his role in Stree 2 (2024), which became the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.

Looking ahead, Rao is set to appear in the action thriller Maalik, the Netflix comedy Toaster, and the fantasy film Bhool Chuk Maaf.

Other Details

Contributions Beyond Work

Rajkummar Rao has been involved in philanthropic activities, including donations to the PM CARES Fund and other relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also endorsed various brands and participated in campaigns promoting healthy eating and lifestyle choices

The Legacy of Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao’s dedication to his craft and his ability to portray diverse characters have made him a respected figure in Indian cinema. His journey from a theater enthusiast to a National Award-winning actor serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists. As he continues to take on challenging roles, his legacy as a versatile and committed actor is firmly established.​

Other Facts:

• Education: Bachelor of Arts from Delhi University; Acting course from FTII, Pune
• Married Life: Married to actress Patralekha on November 15, 2021
• Interesting Facts:
  • He is a vegetarian and has a background in martial arts, holding a national-level gold medal in Taekwondo. He changed his surname from Yadav to Rao in 2014 for personal