Rajkummar Rao, a well-known admirer of Shah Rukh Khan, recently shared his thoughts on the idea of building a brand-like image in the entertainment industry. During a conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, the Stree 2 actor was asked about the association of certain words with the biggest stars—for instance, Shah Rukh Khan being synonymous with love—and what he would like to be known for.
Rao candidly admitted that he hadn’t given much thought to such an association, stating, “But I don’t want to be in that trap. I don’t want to be a slave to that… I’m an actor. I have to be a chameleon, I have to change myself.” He emphasized that his focus is on the craft of acting, not on cultivating a specific image or brand.
Further in the discussion, Rao reflected on how SRK carefully maintains his image to meet fans’ expectations. When asked whether such a strategic approach to public persona was necessary, Rao was quick to express his views. “Maybe he’s like this in real life, but maybe it’s also important to be a little strategic about how you appear in public… Do you think that’s for you?”. Rao was quick to respond and say that acting is an art and all the artists are creating something (cinema). “If it’s an art form, why am I turning myself into a brand? I’m not a product. I’m a human being who feels things and recreates those emotions. It’s a very internal process,” he explained.
At 39, Rao is clear about his identity as an artist rather than a brand. He shared, “I’m here to create, I’m here to surprise my audience, I’m here to surprise myself.” However, he also acknowledged that his approach is not meticulously planned and that there’s always a possibility of making mistakes. Despite distancing himself from the idea of following in SRK’s footsteps in terms of branding, Rao has often praised the superstar’s advice.
In a previous interview with Mashable, Rajkummar recounted a piece of wisdom from Shah Rukh Khan: “Whenever you buy a house, buy one a little beyond your means. That way, you’ll work harder because you’d want to earn it.”
As audiences enjoy his latest film, Stree 2, now playing in theatres, Rajkummar Rao continues to carve out his unique path in the industry, grounded in the belief that his true calling lies in the artistry of acting, not in being a brand.
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