Rajkummar Rao shared the harsh realities of his struggles, recalling times in Mumbai when he had to skip lunch and survive only on a packet of Parle ji biscuits and Frooti.
Rajkummar Rao embarked on his acting journey with Dibakar Banerjee’s Love Sex aur Dhokha in 2010. Over time, he rose to prominence as one of the most revered actors of his generation. However, before attaining fame in the film industry, Rajkummar grappled with significant financial challenges during his early days in the industry. In a recent interview with Ranveer Allahbadia, he candidly revealed the harsh realities of his struggles, recalling instances when he had to forego proper meals in Mumbai, sustaining himself solely on a packet of Parle ji biscuits and Frooti. He also shared the poignant memory of having a mere Rs 18 left in his bank account, a testament to the hurdles he overcame on his path to success.
Reflecting on his pre-fame hardships in Mumbai, Rajkummar remarked, “The most difficult time was facing financial hardship and lack of work. My mother supported me immensely, and whenever I ran out of money, she would arrange it and send it to me. I remember once I was left with only Rs 18 in my account, and that too in a city like Mumbai. I used to be very thrifty. The three of us would live in one flat, and I would skip lunch and have just one Parle Ji biscuit and Frooti for lunch. My lunch would cost me Rs 4 at the time.”
While Rajkummar navigated financial struggles, his FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) batchmates often came to his aid. He added, “On the day I was left with only Rs 18, I wondered what I would do. We have an FTII committee in Mumbai, and many of our seniors and juniors live here. So, I could call anyone and ask them what they were having for dinner and if I could join them.”
Even before arriving in Mumbai, Rajkummar commenced his journey to become an actor. Recounting his preparation during his time in Delhi, he shared, “I started preparing to become an actor after school. After completing school, I joined Sri Ram Centre in Delhi, an acting school. I was 18 at the time. Someone suggested I enroll in college for graduation to obtain a bus pass, which could save money. I learned this quite late. Before that, I used to cycle to the acting school, covering a distance of 70 kilometers round trip. I would listen to songs like ‘Lakshya Ko Har Haal Me Pana Hai’ and ‘Papa Kahte Hain’ on my Walkman during the journey. It may sound like a scene from a movie now, but it was a lot of fun.”
Currently, Rajkummar is engrossed in promoting his upcoming film Srikanth. Additionally, he has Mr. and Mrs. Mahi alongside Janhvi Kapoor, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video featuring Tripti Dimri, and the highly anticipated Stree 3 in the pipeline.