Many performers in the fast-paced film business spend years perfecting their craft before they receive the credit they are due. One such remarkable story is that of Gajraj Rao, who in his mid-40s, after thirty years of hard work, rose to prominence.
Early Life and Background
Gajraj Rao was born in Dungarpur, Rajasthan, in 1971 into a modest middle-class family. Gajraj was raised in several railway colonies around India because his father worked for the Indian Railways. His ability to mimic many accents was enhanced by this exposure to a variety of cultures and languages from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. This aptitude proved beneficial to him in his acting career.
Path to Theatre and Early Career
When Gajraj saw the play Sandhya Chhaya while attending Delhi University, it kindled his enthusiasm for performing. Because of this experience, he was able to work with future movie stars like Ashish Vidyarthi and Manoj Bajpayee when he joined the prestigious theatrical group Act One.
Gajraj had a variety of jobs before making his breakthrough in the film business, including working as a tailor at Iqbal Tailors in New Delhi. In addition, he engaged in freelance writing, penning scripts for Doordarshan and contributing to publications like Navbharat and Hindustan Times.
Breakthrough in Films
Gajraj Rao’s introduction to director Shekhar Kapur was made possible by his buddy, filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia. Rao’s skill impressed Kapur, who casted him in the highly acclaimed 1994 film Bandit Queen (1994), playing the important part of Ashok Chand Thakur. This was the first picture that Rao ever starred in.
Gajraj has a number of noteworthy roles throughout the years, including those in the movie Dil Se (1998), Aks (2001), and Black Friday (2004). He gained a great deal of notoriety for playing a villain in Aamir (2008), and Talwar (2015) .
Stardom with Badhaai Ho
In 2018, Gajraj Rao’s career took a significant shift when his film Badhaai Ho was released. Rao costarred with Neena Gupta as a supporting lead in this film starring Ayushmann Khurrana. With its focus on an old couple coping with an unexpected pregnancy, the movie turned into a hit, and Rao gained fame and critical acclaim for his outstanding performance.
Continued Success
Gajraj Rao kept wowing audiences with his performance in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020) after Badhaai Ho became a blockbuster. He reportedly earned Rs 1.25 crores for the online series Maja Ma, demonstrating his rising demand and popularity. Rao’s most recent performance, in Maidaan, starring Ajay Devgn, solidified his reputation as a talented and versatile actor.
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