Actor Rajkummar Rao seems to be maintaining a fair balance when it comes to doing projects on the web and big screen. However, he discards the idea of films being labelled according to the medium they release on. “It’s sad to see films being categorized under OTT and theatrical tags. Stories are the same no matter where you see them,” shares the actor.

The 39-year-old, who has starred in OTT films such as Chhalaang (2020) and Monica O My Darling (2022), agrees that the digital medium offers a “broader spectrum and wider audience”. And his last theatrical release, Bheed, which got rave reviews on a streaming platform, is a testament to that. “In the end, it’s all about good content and the audience’s reception,” notes the Guns & Gulaabs actor.

Another thing Rao is glad about is the fact that films have finally started to work at the box office and makers can look forward to better days ahead. “As artistes, we should only be concerned about the audience receiving good content, irrespective of where it comes out — OTT or theatres,” says the actor, adding, “I want to commit my time to web shows because it takes [only a few] months to shoot a series now.”

Known for showing variety in his on-screen portrayals without getting typecast, Rao stresses that he is committed to pushing his boundaries. “I don’t want to be put in a bracket. Being an actor, I want to explore everything. I don’t want audiences to have the impression that I can’t do a particular role,” he says.

Rao will next be seen in Stree 2, Sri and Mr And Mrs Mahi. Is there a pressure to have a successful sequel to Stree (2018)? “We don’t want to take the pressure that the sequel should do well or be better than the last. This is the only way we can ensure that the film is not corrupted,” he responds.