About:

**Rajkummar Rao (born Raj Kumar Yadav; 31 August 1984) is a celebrated Indian actor known for his work in Hindi cinema. Since his debut in 2010, Rao has appeared in over 30 films and has garnered several prestigious awards, including a National Film Award, four Filmfare Awards, and an Asia Pacific Screen Award. In 2017, he was listed in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100.

Early Life and Education

Born in Prem Nagar, Gurgaon, Haryana, Rao grew up in a modest family. His father, Satya Prakash Yadav, worked in the Haryana revenue department, and his mother, Kamlesh Yadav, was a homemaker. Rao completed his schooling at S.N. Sidheshwar Senior Secondary Public School and graduated from Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, University of Delhi. Influenced by Manoj Bajpayee’s performances, Rao decided to pursue acting. He enrolled in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune in 2008 and moved to Mumbai to start his acting career.

Personal Life

Rao has been in a relationship with actress Patralekha Paul since 2010, and the couple married in November 2021. He is a vegetarian and practices taekwondo. In 2014, he changed his surname to Rao and added an extra ‘m’ to his name for numerological reasons.

Career Beginnings and Breakthrough (2010–2013)

Rao’s acting career began with a minor role in “Rann” (2010). He gained recognition with his role in the anthology film “Love Sex Aur Dhokha” (2010). Following this, he starred in “Ragini MMS” (2011) and “Shaitan” (2011). His performances in “Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2” (2012) and “Talaash: The Answer Lies Within” (2012) further established his reputation.

Rao’s breakthrough came with “Kai Po Che!” (2013) and “Shahid” (2013), where he portrayed lawyer Shahid Azmi. His performance in “Shahid” won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.

Career Highlights (2014–2016)

Rao continued to impress with supporting roles in “Queen” (2014) and “Aligarh” (2015). He starred in the critically acclaimed “Trapped” (2016) and “Newton” (2017). “Trapped” earned him his second Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor, and “Newton” won the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Actor.

Commercial Success (2017–2018)

In 2017, Rao’s performances in “Bareilly Ki Barfi” and “Newton” received widespread acclaim. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for “Bareilly Ki Barfi”. His role in “Stree” (2018) was both a critical and commercial success, earning him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

Recent Work (2019–present)

Rao’s notable films in recent years include “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” (2019), “Judgementall Hai Kya” (2019), “Made in China” (2019), and the anthology film “Ludo” (2020). He made his Hollywood debut with “The White Tiger” (2021), which received positive reviews.

In 2022, Rao won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his role in “Badhaai Do”. He has also starred in “Monica, O My Darling” (2022), “Bheed” (2023), and the biographical film “Srikanth” (2024), which marked a return to commercial success.

Conclusion

Rajkummar Rao’s journey from Gurgaon to becoming one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors is marked by his dedication, talent, and choice of diverse roles. His ability to bring authenticity to his characters has earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase.