Rajkummar Rao has opened up about his approach to acting and the labels associated with his career. The actor said his focus has always remained on his craft rather than his image. The actor has completed more than 16 years in the film industry.Rajkummar Rao was speaking during a panel discussion at FICCI Frames on the last day. His comments came ahead of the release of his upcoming biographical drama ‘Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story’. During the discussion, he explained why terms such as “star”, “superstar” and “brand” have never influenced his approach to work.
Rajkummar Rao puts acting before industry labels
Rajkummar Rao said that the labels given to actors do not determine how he views his career. For him, the process of working on a character remains more important. “Whatever terms people give you: star, superstar, brand, it does not concern me. My love for my art would always be first,” he said, as quoted by Hindustan Times. He also described what happens when he begins working on a project. According to the actor, his relationship with the script and his character becomes the most important part of the process. “When I go on set, when I take a script in my hand, and I start working on that script, that’s the most powerful, and the purest form of perceiving my art.”
Actor recalls his theatre days
Rajkummar Rao also spoke about his early ambitions. He said that his interest was always centred on becoming an actor rather than developing a particular public image. “It’s been 16 years in the industry, but I have never seen myself as a brand,” he said. The ‘Stree’ actor recalled the time when he was starting in theatre. His ambition at that stage was straightforward. “Growing up, when I started doing theatre, my dream was to be a film actor one day. It was never to be a brand.” Rajkummar Rao added that such descriptions generally come from people around an actor. “These are the terms that people give you, or your colleagues give you.”
Rajkummar Rao does not choose roles based on brand value
The actor further explained that he does not want the idea of brand value to affect his creative decisions. He said the story and character should remain the focus while considering a project. “When I am working on a character, I don’t want to deviate and think, ‘Is this story going to match my brand value?’ I don’t think like that. So for me, I am always going to be an actor. People can call you whatever they want.”
Rajkummar Rao says he is glad to be considered for biopics
Rajkummar Rao is now preparing for ‘Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story’. The film features him as veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. The actor said he appreciates the fact that filmmakers consider him when developing biographical projects. “I’m glad that people think of me when they think of a biopic.” Rajkummar Rao also pointed out the difficulties involved in making films based on real personalities. He said such projects require considerable commitment from everyone involved. “Biopics are a very difficult genre. And it takes a lot of guts and courage for everybody involved to make a biopic.” He also revealed that his existing biographical roles represent only a portion of the projects offered to him. “I have been offered a lot of them apart from what I have done,” he said.
Rajkummar Rao’s upcoming ‘Prahaar’ and recent releases
Rajkummar Rao’s latest theatrical release was the action-drama ‘Maalik’. The film arrived in cinemas on July 11, 2025. He also featured in ‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’, a fantasy romantic comedy co-starring Wamiqa Gabbi. The movie was released in May 2025. His upcoming project, ‘Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam’, is a biographical drama centred on veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. Rajkummar Rao leads the film in the role of Ujjwal Nikam. The movie is scheduled to release in theatres on October 16, 2026.
