One of the finest actors of Bollywood, Rajkummar Rao, is celebrating his 36th birthday today. In an industry ruled by the likes of Khans and Kapoors, the actor stood out by proving his mettle time and again. With his notable film career, Rajkummar has carved an irreplaceable niche for himself.
While every film by the actor is a must-watch, we’ve listed some of the films that brought out best in him.
Shahid
Shahid is the film that gained Rajkummar Rao his due recognition in the Hindi film industry. The film directed by Hansal Mehta was based on the life of lawyer and human right activist Shahid Azmi who was charged for plotting against the state. He was assassinated in 2010 in Mumbai.
Rajkummar’s performance in the film garnered heaps of praises from critics as well as international film festivals. His effortless portrayal of Shahid’s character also earned him National Award for Best Actor.
Citylights
Another masterpiece by the director-actor duo of Hansal Mehta-Rajkummar Rao brought magic in the theatres with Citylights. The film touched new heights in terms of acting, screenplay and story. It starred Rajkummar as a family man Deepak from a small town of Rajasthan who was forced into unwanted circumstances due to poverty and debt.
The film is also known for brilliant chemistry between Rajkummar and his real life girlfriend Patralekhaa.
Aligarh
Rajkummar played the role of a Delhi based reporter in critically acclaimed film Aligarh. For Aligarh, Rajkummar teamed up with Manoj Bajpayee and the duo created one of the most heartfelt films Indian cinema has witnessed. Set in the city of Aligarh, the film is based on the life of Ramchandra Siras whoso moral grounds were questioned for being a homosexual. Deepu, played by Rajkummar Rao, befriends him and helps him to come to terms with his reality.
Trapped
Trapped is one of the rarest films of Hindi cinema. The film, which is solely driven by Rajkummar, is a story of survival of a helpless boy who gets stuck in an empty apartment without food, water and electricity. Even in a limited space, Rajkummar managed to deliver an impeccable performance that will be remembered for generations.
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Bareilly Ki Barfi is an unconventional romantic comedy which starred Rajkummar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana and Kriti Sanon in pivotal roles. The film showed us a humurous side of Rajkuammar, leaving us in splits and wondering if there’s anything that this man cannot pull up. Directed by Ashwini Iyer, the film featured Rajkummar as hopeless writer Pritam Vidrohi which is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining characters played the by actor.
