Rajkummar Rao is one of India’s most respected actors. Quiet but intense, precise but versatile, he rose from small roles and long auditions to win major awards and wide recognition
Over the past decade and a half Rao has built a career by choosing varied, often risky roles. He is equally at home in gritty biopics, low-budget dramas, smart comedies, and mainstream commercial films.
This biography traces his early life, training, breakthrough moments, acting approach, notable films, awards, and personal life and it includes a quick stats table, selected filmography, frequently asked questions, and sources for further reading.
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Table of Contents
Rajkummar Rao’s Early life
Rajkummar Rao was born Raj Kumar Yadav on 31 August 1984 in Gurgaon (now Gurugram), Haryana. He grew up in a middle-class family and showed interest in performing arts from a young age.
He attended local schools in Gurgaon before moving to Delhi for college. While studying at Delhi University he took part in theatre with groups such as Kshitij and the Shri Ram Centre.
Later he enrolled in the two-year acting course at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, graduating in 2008. His FTII training gave him formal acting technique and introduced him to a network of filmmakers and casting professionals.
After FTII he moved to Mumbai and spent time auditioning and meeting casting directors before his film career took off.1
Early career and first film roles (2010–2012)
Rao’s screen debut came in 2010 with the anthology film Love Sex Aur Dhokha (often abbreviated LSD), where he played a supermarket employee in one segment.
The film was experimental and low-budget but gave new actors visibility. He then worked in a string of small and supporting roles, including parts in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within.
Those early years were crucial training grounds. Even when parts were small, his performances drew attention for their naturalism and focus.
Breakthrough: Kai Po Che! and Shahid
Rao first gained wide notice with Kai Po Che! (2013), a youth drama adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s novel. The film introduced him to a national audience and led to better scripted offers.
The real turning point came with Hansal Mehta’s Shahid, a biographical film about lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi. Rao’s performance in Shahid won him the National Film Award for Best Actor at the 61st National Film Awards.
That recognition changed his career overnight: directors took note, writing better roles and offering him lead parts.
Shahid also won him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor, which cemented both popular and critical respect.2
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Other Notable Films (2014–2020)
After Shahid, Rao deliberately chose varied projects that tested his range.
Notable performances include:
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Aligarh (2015): a restrained, empathetic performance in a film about a real-life marginalized academic.
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Trapped (2016): a tense, minimalist survival drama carried almost entirely on Rao’s shoulders.
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Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017): a charming romantic comedy that showed his comic timing and mainstream appeal.
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Newton (2017): the internationally acclaimed satire in which he played a sincere election officer; the film was India’s official entry to the Oscars that year and won praise at festivals.
These films showed he could anchor films of different tones while keeping his portrayals grounded. His choices reinforced the idea that he preferred roles that required craft over mere glamour.
Mainstream Success and Commercial Hits (2020–2025)
In the later part of the 2010s and into the 2020s Rao balanced indie-style projects with commercially successful films and franchises.
He appeared in horror-comedy and franchise fare while continuing to take on meatier roles. Some highlights from recent years include Bhediya, ensemble dramas like Bheed, and the comedy-horror franchise Stree (he played a supporting but memorable role in the Stree series).
In 2024 and 2025 he featured in multiple releases including Srikanth (2024), Mr. & Mrs. Mahi (2024), Pushtaini (2024), Stree 2 (2024), and the 2025 releases Bhool Chuk Maaf and Maalik. Maalik (July 2025) in particular presented him in a gritty gangster avatar and generated strong social media buzz for his intensity.
These projects show he continues to move between mainstream and offbeat work.
Acting style and craft
Rao’s acting is often described as internalized yet precise. He tends to avoid theatrical excess and favors truthful behavior over showy moments.
He spends time understanding the psychology of characters and often works with directors to shape small details gestures, posture, hushed tones that build credibility.
He is known for immersing himself physically and psychologically when needed, whether for a transformation or to sustain a film that relies on a single performer. Critics praise his ability to make the ordinary feel compelling. This commitment to craft has kept him in demand across genres.
My heartiest congratulations to our esteemed PM Shri @narendramodi ji on this historic third consecutive win. May our country continue to flourish under your exemplary leadership. God bless you sir. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/uPljtijdHz
— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) June 9, 2024
Personal life
Rajkummar Rao has been in a long-term relationship with actress Patralekhaa (Patralekhaa Paul) since around 2010.
The couple married on 15 November 2021 in an intimate ceremony in Chandigarh, and they often speak publicly about mutual support and shared values.
In mid-2025 they announced they are expecting their first child, a development widely covered by Indian media.
Rao keeps a relatively private life, though he shares occasional glimpses on social media and speaks openly about the value of steady relationships and emotional honesty.
Awards and recognition
Rao’s awards highlight both early critical recognition and continued industry appreciation:
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National Film Award for Best Actor — for Shahid (61st National Film Awards).
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Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor — for Shahid.
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Multiple Filmfare nominations and other industry awards across Filmfare, IIFA, and international festivals. His list of awards and nominations spans national honours and critics’ prizes.
Beyond trophies, his reputation among filmmakers and fans is that of a dependable, transformative actor who lifts scripts and often improves the projects he joins.
Quick Stats
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name (born) | Raj Kumar Yadav (professionally Rajkummar Rao). |
| Date of birth | 31 August 1984. |
| Place of birth | Gurgaon (Gurugram), Haryana, India. |
| Age | 40 (as of August 2024) — turns 41 on 31 Aug 2025. |
| Education | BA from Delhi University; Acting diploma from FTII, Pune. |
| Notable award | National Film Award for Best Actor (Shahid). |
| Spouse | Patralekhaa (married 15 Nov 2021). |
| Notable recent films | Maalik (2025), Bhool Chuk Maaf (2025), Stree 2 (2024).3 |
| Official presence | Active on social media; posts occasional updates and film promos. |
Common Controversies and Challenges
Like any public figure, Rao has faced the normal churn of casting news, scheduling conflicts, and project changes.
He has spoken publicly about being replaced on projects at times and about the mental and physical pressure actors face, but there are no major long-running scandals associated with him.
Instead, discussions around Rao usually center on his professional choices, body transformations for roles, and the occasional public debate about star treatment versus performance-driven recognition.
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FAQ’s
Q1: What is Rajkummar Rao’s age and place of birth?
A: He was born on 31 August 1984 in Gurgaon (Gurugram), Haryana, India.
Q2: Which film gave Rajkummar Rao the National Film Award?
A: His performance in Shahid earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor at the 61st National Film Awards.
Q3: Where did he train as an actor?
A: He completed a two-year acting course at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
Q4: Is Rajkummar Rao married? Who is his wife?
A: Yes. He married actress Patralekhaa on 15 November 2021.
Q5: What are some of his best films to watch first?
A: Start with Shahid (for dramatic range), Trapped (for intensity), Bareilly Ki Barfi (for charm), and Newton (for political satire).
Closing
Rajkummar Rao’s story matters because it shows how training, persistence, and smart choices can build a durable career in contemporary Indian film.
He did not rely solely on star packaging. Instead he earned acclaim by delivering repeatable craft. As he balances awards-friendly films with commercial successes, he continues to be a bellwether for actors who want both respect and reach.
Whether you are a casual viewer or a student of performance, Rao’s work is worth watching for clarity, courage, and range.
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