Physical transformation aside, Rajkummar on his prep for biopic on leader
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 15, 2017)

Rajkummar Rao has established himself as an actor who goes to any length to bring authenticity to his roles. His prep for his latest web series, which sees him in the role of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, has only given credence to this opinion.

For Rao, who not only shaved off his hair, but also gained weight to carry a paunch for the part, getting into the skin of the character enabled him to understand the era when Bose’s appeal was at its peak. “When I started shooting for the show in Kolkata, I was on cloud nine. Bose had a layered personality. I wish more people would pick up from this fraction of history and present the stories on screen,” Rao says, adding that the physical transformation was only a small part of his preparation. “I read every possible account of Bose and his journey. Thankfully, a lot of material is available. A few documentaries had archival footage of him. Those clips helped me understand his body language and voice.”

Creator Hansal Mehta, who collaborates with Rao for the fourth time with the series, says, “I marvel at his dedication. His transformation is never just physical. Even here, he immersed himself in understanding Bose. I am hopeful that the show will make our countrymen more informed about one of our most charismatic heroes.”