Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 23, 2020)

He’s been off the radar since November last year, and it took us quite some time to get Rajkummar Rao to talk to us. After all, he’s completed a full decade in the industry since his debut in Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD). He connects with us from Goa, where he’s in self-isolation due to the Covid-19 scare. “I was actually supposed to start a film’s shooting in March with Kriti Sanon, when the outbreak became worse. I am keeping busy by reading, watching movies and shows, trying to learn cooking, working out and meditating,” he says.

Ten years in the film industry, how does this milestone make you feel?
Makes me feel like I just started. I want to be here (in the world of films), live here and die here, too. As the song goes ‘Jeena yahaan, marna yahaan, iske siwa jaana kahaan’! That clearly applies to my life and my work. I feel really good about the journey.

Being an outsider, did you face any challenges after the release of LSD?
With my very first film also, I was sure that my aim was not to make a name, but just to continue doing more work. LSD was directed by Dibakar Banerjee, and produced by Ekta Kapoor, so I was sure all makers would watch it. After that, I was constantly working. I finished LSD, then Anurag (Kashyap) sir saw me, so I got cast in Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012), and then got Shahid (2013).

Your career has had its share of ups and downs, with you even winning international awards such as the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Newton (2017). What’s been the highest, and toughest point for you so far?
Being an outsider and getting your first break is so tough. LSD remains my highest point, then it was winning the National Film Award for Best Actor for Shahid. Then I got into the so-called ₹100-crore club, and (started) the horror-comedy genre with Stree. I feel very blessed. I always got a lot of love and support.

You have been away from the limelight for a few months, but 2020 is set to be packed with Badhaai Do and The White Tiger. Does it get hectic?
I don’t work on so many films at the same time. Since December, however, the day I finished The White Tiger’s shoot, I have been on a break for three-four months, which has got extended now. It was conscious, because I have been working non-stop for the last two-three years, I felt I should take a break.

The Coronavirus situation has pushed the shoot of your next…
It’s fine. I hope it gets better soon, because what’s going on is quite crazy. I hope people are responsible. Please stay at home in self-isolation. You can give it to a lot of people without realising it.

How’s the situation in Goa? How’s your girlfriend Patralekhaa doing back in Mumbai?
It is fine, we are being careful. I am at a friend’s house, and inside all the time. I have been here for some time. And what makes you think Patralekhaa is not here? (laughs) The two of us are not venturing out, we aren’t taking any chances. We are spending a lot of time with each other.