Rajkummar Rao, known for his versatility and compelling performances in a variety of genres, is now venturing into the world of action thrillers with his latest film, Maalik. In a recent interview, the actor addressed why he hadn't taken on action roles earlier in his career, explaining that it wasn't a deliberate choice to avoid the genre, but rather a matter of finding the right story.
Rao stated that he had been offered action films before, but he "couldn't connect with those stories". For him, the story is the most important element when choosing a film, regardless of the genre. He looks for narratives that resonate with him and offer something unique. "I always look for good, exciting stories, and a story has to do something within me for me to say yes to it," the actor explained.
With Maalik, Rao found a story that he connected with, describing it as "such a powerful story about this guy's rise; the arc was beautiful". He was drawn to the film's strong narrative and well-developed characters, making it the right project for him to explore the action genre. "There's a great story attached to it, and there are great characters," he said.
Maalik, directed by Pulkit, marks a new chapter in Rajkummar Rao's cinematic journey, showcasing him in a fierce and intense action avatar. The film, also starring Manushi Chhillar and Prosenjit Chatterjee, is a gangster action thriller that delves into themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal. Rao plays the titular character, a man who rises to rule it all.
Rao's preparation for the role involved a physical transformation, growing his beard for more than 80 days to achieve a wild, rugged look. He also worked on building a more muscular physique to meet the demands of the physically challenging role. However, Rao emphasized that the external transformation was secondary to understanding the character's soul. "The external is easy, you can grow your hair and beard. But to reach the soul of the character is the real work," he stated. To prepare for the role, Rao relied solely on the script to shape his character, building him from the inside out.
Stepping into the action genre with Maalik, Rao is excited to present himself in a way audiences have never seen before. "As an actor, that's what I want—to play different people, explore different genres, and present myself in a new light," he shared. He sees every genre as a new challenge and is constantly seeking to surprise the audience with unexpected performances.
While Maalik is a departure from his previous roles, Rao remains committed to originality and avoids taking inspiration from old films when preparing for a character. "I want every character that I play to be completely original and emerge from my imagination and the story of the film," he said.
Despite his shift towards more commercial films, Rao has not turned his back on independent cinema. He still appreciates good stories, regardless of budget, and would be open to doing smaller films if the right script comes along.
Rajkummar Rao's decision to take on action roles now is not about chasing a trend, but about finding stories that resonate with him and allow him to explore new facets of his craft. With Maalik, he aims to deliver a powerful and engaging performance that will surprise and entertain audiences.
