Would stare at SRK posters and think maybe there was hope for me too: Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao, the talented and versatile actor, has won hearts of millions with his phenomenal acting in films Bareily Ki Barfi, Newton, Omerta and his latest Fanney Khan.

Rajkummar recently shared a post for Humans of Bombay, narrating an inspirational story of success when he was struggling to make a career as an actor in Mumbai. And it appears that Rajkummar’s Fanney Khan is Shah Rukh Khan.

In the post, he talked about his struggling days as an actor, how he would worship Shah Rukh Khan as a child and how his idol treated him when they met for the first time. “Growing up, I was fascinated with Shah Rukh Sir––I used to stare at his posters and often think that if an outsider could make it as big as him, then maybe there was hope for me,” he said.

Rajkummar said he even realised that the road to success was not paved with roses. When he arrived in Mumbai from Gurgaon, he did not land good work and would do small ads. “I made about Rs. 10,000 a month––but still, there were days where I didn’t have money, and I’d call my friends asking to share their meal.”

After the success of Queen, he finally got to meet Shah Rukh Khan. “I was shooting in Mehboob (Studio). And I heard that Shah Rukh sir was also shooting there. He made me feel so special. I was already a fan, but that day I was probably his biggest.” Here is the post.

“Growing up, I was fascinated with Shah Rukh Sir–I used to stare at his posters & think that if an outsider could make it as big as him, then maybe there was hope for me. It wasn’t rosy though–I didn’t get work after I came to Mumbai. I only got small jobs–I’d be like the 10th person standing in a random newspaper ad! I made 8-10k a month–but there were days when I didn’t have money & I’d call my friends saying, ‘Can I come over to eat?’ Giving up wasn’t an option. There was never a plan B. I was constantly on the hunt for auditions–I met with countless ADs & casting directors. They would call me in for small roles & I’d try to convince them to let me audition for the bigger parts–I was turned down. But I wasn’t demotivated. I persistently followed up with Atul Mongia till he finally called me to audition for Love Sex aur Dhokha. A week went by & I hadn’t heard back–that’s when I questioned, ‘Will they call?’ Then it happened…everything I worked for culminated in that one moment. I was at home when I got the most important call of my life. The words were, ‘Ho gaya, you got the film!’ I fell to my knees, cried & called my mom. The movie released & that’s when the doors opened. But I’ll tell you a stand out moment–it was sometime after Queen. I was shooting in Mehboob & heard that Shah Rukh Sir was there too. So I thought this was my chance–maybe I could meet him. I sent a message across–I didn’t think he’d know me, but he called me to his trailer. He knew my entire bio! He made me feel so special–I was already a fan, but that day I was probably his biggest. I was nervous and in awe throughout. I once spoke to his posters & now there he was, in front of me. How can I even explain what that felt like? What’s ironic is, that the people who in the beginning weren’t interested in me for a lead role–today offer me films. I’m the same actor, the same person, but now I’m offered the roles. I’ve believed in my craft, even when things weren’t going well. I just knew–I put it out in the Universe & attracted it. Remember, no matter what anyone says, no one will believe in you, the way YOU do–so hustle & let the Universe do the rest.”

A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay) on Aug 7, 2018 at 5:48am PDT

Rajkummar Rao will be next seen in Stree along with Shraddha Kapoor. It will hit the theatres on August 31, 2018.