Rajkummar Rao Reveals His Struggle In Bollywood And His SRK Fanboy Moment!

Rajkummar Rao is probably one of the most talented actors of our generation. He has aced every role and how. Be it the role of Shahid or that of Omar Sayyad Shaikh or that of Pritam Vidrohi or Vijay or the revolutionary Newton, he has nailed each and every one of them. But his struggle to reach to the point where he is now has not been easy at all. He has come from a non-filmy background and made his way by with his sheer talent and hard work.

Recently, Rajkummar shared his journey in Bollywood and how big a fan he is of King Khan Shah Rukh Khan through Humans Of Bombay.

In the post, the Newton actor wrote:

“Growing up, I was fascinated with Shah Rukh Sir––I used to stare at his posters and often think that if an outsider could make it as big as him, then maybe there was hope for me."

But the journey had never been easy. He used to work as a background actor for ads and earned as low as 10k a month. In fact, he asked for help from his friends when he would not have money enough to manage a meal for himself. But he stuck through. "Giving up was never an option. There was never a plan B for me," Rajkummar revealed.

He also revealed how he landed up his first role, in Love, Sex Aur Dhokha.

"I was also very persistent – I remember constantly following up with Atul Mongia till he finally called me for the audition of Love Sex Aur Dhokha. I did around 3-4 tests. A week went by and I hadn’t heard back – and finally it happened...everything I had worked for culminated in that one moment. I was alone at home, when I got the most important call of my life. The words were, ‘Ho gaya hai. You got the film.’ I fell to my knees, called my mother.
The movie released and I got a lot of love... that’s when the doors opened. But I’ll tell you a stand out moment for me – I think it was after the release of Queen."

Rajkummar has always said that he is a Shah Rukh Khan fan, like most of us, and his first meeting with him will forever be etched in his memory

"I was shooting in Mehboob. And I heard that Shah Rukh sir was also shooting there. So I thought this was my chance––maybe I could go meet him. I sent a message across to him––I didn’t think he’d know me, but, he called me to his trailer – he knew my entire bio!
He made me feel so special. I was already a fan, but that day I was probably his biggest. I was nervous and in awe throughout. I once spoke to his posters...and now there he was, in front of me. How can I even explain what that felt like?"

Check out his full post:

“Growing up, I was fascinated with Shah Rukh Sir––I used to stare at his posters and often think that if an outsider could make it as big as him, then maybe there was hope for me. It wasn’t rosy though––I didn’t get a lot of work after I came to Mumbai. I only managed small ads here and there. Things you won’t even recollect––I’d be like the 10th person standing in some ad!
I made about Rs. 10,000 a month––but still, there were days where I didn’t have money, and I’d call my friends asking to share their meal. 
Giving up was never an option. There was never a plan B for me. I was constantly on the hunt for auditions – I met with countless ADs and casting directors. They would call me in for the smallest of roles and I would try to convince them to at least let me try out the bigger parts...but I was turned down. But I didn’t let any of it demotivate me – I believed that someone would see my talent.
I was also very persistent – I remember constantly following up with Atul Mongia till he finally called me for the audition of Love Sex Aur Dhokha. I did around 3-4 tests. A week went by and I hadn’t heard back – and finally it happened...everything I had worked for culminated in that one moment. I was alone at home, when I got the most important call of my life. The words were, ‘Ho gaya hai. You got the film.’ I fell to my knees, called my mother.
The movie released and I got a lot of love... that’s when the doors opened. But I’ll tell you a stand out moment for me – I think it was after the release of Queen.
I was shooting in Mehboob. And I heard that Shah Rukh sir was also shooting there. So I thought this was my chance––maybe I could go meet him. I sent a message across to him––I didn’t think he’d know me, but, he called me to his trailer – he knew my entire bio!
He made me feel so special. I was already a fan, but that day I was probably his biggest. I was nervous and in awe throughout. I once spoke to his posters...and now there he was, in front of me. How can I even explain what that felt like?
What’s ironic is, that the people who in the beginning weren’t interested in me for a lead role––today offer me films. I’m the same actor, the same person, but now I’m being offered the roles. I’ve believed in my craft, even when things weren’t going well. I just knew – I put it out in the Universe and attracted it all. Remember, no matter what anyone else says, no one is going to believe in you, the way YOU do – so hustle, and let the Universe do the rest.”