Amid 'Stree 2's success Rajkummar Rao reflects on the disappointment of being replaced in a film

As ‘Stree 2’ continues to perform exceptionally well at the box office, Rajkummar Rao’s journey in the film industry speaks volumes about his remarkable talent and his ability to connect with audiences through authentic, unforgettable performances. This latest success adds another chapter to a career already marked by standout roles in films like Shahid, Newton, and more—establishing himself as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. 

In an in-depth conversation on 'The Longest Interview' podcast on Audible, the actor opens up about the artistic challenges, personal milestones, and pivotal moments that have shaped his career. Even the most accomplished actors face their share of challenges, and for Rajkummar Rao, one of the trickiest moments came during the filming of Ludo. Reflecting on a particularly tough scene where he was required to deliver a monologue, he shares, "When I read the script, I wondered how I would pull it off—it felt incredibly difficult. And then, I made it even harder for myself by suggesting (to the director) that I perform it while dancing like Mithun da (Chakraborty). When the time came, it felt like taking a 10th-grade math board exam—once was enough, and I wouldn’t do it again."

Every actor has faced the disappointment of being replaced in a film, and Rajkummar is no exception. He recalls, “Ek do baar aisa hua ki mujhe film mili aur phir sab kuch sahi raha, lekin mujhe uss film se hata diya gaya for some reason. Those experiences taught me to always be prepared. Looking back, I realize it might have been for the best—either the film never got made, or the character wasn’t impactful. I believe that when the universe is guiding you, everything falls into place.”

Rajkummar offers a nuanced take on the differences between the Indian and international film industries. “There are plenty of great actors abroad—you can count the bad ones on your fingers. Everyone is good, some are very good, and then there are the greats,” he says. “Here, you can count the good actors on your fingers because the list of bad ones is much longer.”

Rajkummar shares an intriguing story about how he manifested his role in Kai Po Che! He explains, "I enjoyed reading The Three Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat. Before that, one of his other books, One Night at the Call Center, had already been adapted into a film, so I knew he was a writer whose books were getting turned into movies. I still remember, when I was new in Bombay, I read Three Mistakes of My Life and actually manifested it to the universe. There are three characters in the book, and I hoped that if a film was ever made, I would get one of those roles. I didn’t specify which one, but I really wished for it—and then Kai Po Che! happened. It’s surreal but true."

'Stree 2' starring Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee in pivotal roles has already created a banger at the box office and is still running strong.