The Sairat sensation makes a comeback with her second Marathi film — and a determination to make a mark in the movies
Suktara Ghosh (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 21, 2019)

She became an overnight sensation as the fearless firebrand Archi in her debut film in 2016. Now, Sairat actress Rinku Rajguru is returning to the screen with her second Marathi film, Kaagar (Tipping Point) after a hiatus of three years. It’s easily one of the most-awaited films this year, with critics, fans, and the box office eagerly waiting to see if the 17-year-old can recreate the magic on screen.

“I was getting many offers but I didn’t want to play another Archi,” says Rajguru, who took a break to appear for her HSC examinations (“It went very well,” she nods enthusiastically). Kaagar, directed by Ringan maker and National Award-winner Makarand Mane — and co-starring Shashank Shende and Shubhankar Tawde — is a political drama set in small-town Maharashtra, and is set to release on April 26. Rajguru plays Rani, a girl who steps out of the confines of her home to join the world of politics.

“I have lived Rani’s life. I am from a village too [from Akluj in Solapur]. There, girls have many dreams and talents, but their lives are trapped within four walls. Every household has its own politics, and the lives of the women are governed by innumerable rules — you can’t go out without a dupatta; you must cover up; you have to return home within a stipulated time and can’t talk to boys — the list goes on. Rani comes from this background and wants to do something for these girls,” shares the National Award-winner while on a lightning tour of Mumbai, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Aurangabad and Kolhapur, to promote the film.

Rajguru has had a similar transformation herself. After the tremendous success of Sairat — it was the first Marathi film to earn Rs 100 crore and created enough waves for Bollywood to sit up and take notice with the remake, Dhadak — life is not the same.

“Going out is a problem because everyone recognises me now. Once I went out with my face covered with a dupatta, and people recognised me from my eyes. They asked if I am Archi, I said ‘no’. They said ‘your eyes are like Archi’s’, and I said, ‘accha?’ and thanked them,” she laughs. “But I really enjoy it. This is a new life, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Rajguru for all her youthful exuberance and confidence, seems to have a steady head on her shoulders. “I feel films should have some message to take back home, and be realistic — something the audience can relate to. And I don’t like films which revolve around brawny heroes who are saving the world all the time. I’m looking for characters that can inspire girls in villages and small towns to step out and achieve their dreams,” she says. Coming up after Kaagar is a film revolving around acid attack victims. Tight-lipped, Rinku denies any similarity with the much-talked about Chhapaak, starring Deepika Padukone. “Ours is a fictional story”, is all she says.

Taking inspiration from the exposure her stardom has brought, Rajguru says: “When I am here in the city, in Mumbai, I see women can go anywhere, do anything, own their own homes. This doesn’t happen in villages.” And then adds with a smile, “My village is now very proud of me.”

Playing her Kaagar role didn’t, however, come easy. “I don’t understand politics at all. I say whatever I feel like, I am very bindaas. Rani, on the other hand, thinks carefully before doing anything and knows exactly what she wants. So this was difficult for me. I studied our women in politics — observed how they sit, how they talk, and the issues they deal with. We also did workshops, which helped me bond with my co-actors, and that translated well on screen,” she says.

The Vicky Kaushal and Sridevi fan has shed quite a few kilos in the last three years and blossomed into a self-assured person. Bollywood offers have been coming her way too, but Rajguru, who once nursed dreams of becoming a doctor, is only up for meaty roles. Quiz her about feeling the pressure that comes with being in showbiz and she says, “I don’t take it as pressure. If you want to be an actor, you have to look good too. So it’s alright.” She also enjoys being the youngest on the sets. “Everyone gives me a lot of love — and chocolates,” she laughs.

Unlike her fellow Gen-Z compatriots, Rajguru largely steers clear of social media. “I only promote my films there; it’s great to see the energy of the fans. But I don’t like to use social media otherwise,” she says. Hand-picked by Sairat-director Nagraj Manjule when she didn’t even know what ‘audition’ meant, Rajguru’s journey is certainly the stuff movies are made of.