Rajkummar Rao Plays Mahesh Bhatt's Stepmom (almost)!

Are you aiming to get into the commercial bracket? One got this feeling when you danced with gay abandon in Dolly Ki Doli...
I am not a shy person. I love dancing. My mother always wanted to see me dancing on the big screen. Dolly... made her wish came true.



That doesn't answer my question...
Wasn't Kai Po Che a commercial film? Was it an art film just because I didn't dance in it?

Did you tell your mother about your dance number in Dolly... when you signed it? Or did you want to give her a surprise?
I myself didn't know that Abhishek Dogra (director) and Arbaaz Khan (producer) had such heavy-duty dancing for me in mind.

Did you feel nervous when they told you?
I was asked to dance with Malaika Arora who is a professional dancer. Who wouldn't get nervous? 

What's next after Dolly...?
Ramesh Sippy's Shimla Mirchi. Sippy sir is directing after a long time. We shot in Shimla. It is a very sweet romantic film. You’ll see me dancing again (smiles). After that, I have Mohit Suri's Humari Adhuri Kahani with Vidya ma'am.



You call Vidya Balan as Vidya ma'am?
We have a lot of scenes in Hamari Adhuri...  which are violent and emotional. She told me that I should call her Vidya. 
We are playing husband and wife. There should be chemistry between us isn't it? 

Tell us about Hamari Adhuri...
The film is inspired from Mahesh Bhatt's life. Its about his parents and his stepmother. My character is inspired by his stepmother. The soul of my character is his stepmom.

He must have sat you down and briefed you about her...
Yes, he is very passionate about this film. He called me home a day before we started shooting. We had a long chat. In fact, he was the one who convinced me for this film. I was a little apprehensive whether I should do the film or not.

Why?
I don't have the lead role. So, I wasn't sure if I should do the film. But now I am glad that I did it.It's going to be a lovely film.

How does it feel working with Ramesh Sippy in his comeback vehicle Shimla Mirchi?.
I am very lucky that I got a chance with Ramesh Sippy who has directed Bachchan, Dilip sahab, Kamal Hasan and many other great actors. He is a craftsman. He knows his job so well. I was a little scared that how would I discuss scenes with him. After all, he is Ramesh Sippy. But seeing his enthusiasm, I felt so much at home. He treats me like his friend. Trust me, he is working as if Shimla Mirch is his first film.

Your film Queen is getting quite a few awards but Kangana Ranaut is not among the winners...
Queen is one of the best films of last year. I am very happy for Vikas and Kangana. Its getting awards and I am happy. 

Does Priyanka Chopra deserve more awards than Kangana? That's the way it's going... 
Kangana was very good in Queen..Priyanka was good too in Mary Kom.  I wont say who deserves more.



Hansal Mehta was upset that Shahid wasn't sent to the Oscars...
If fraternity thinks some other film is deserving I am sure they have thought something. Of course, even  I felt disheartened. But one has to move on. Hansal and I have started working on our next film wherein I am playing a journalist from Delhi. 



Marriage?
I believe in the institution. Its not that I am against it. Its just that I am not ready for marriage right now. As long as Patralekha and I are happy being together, that's all that matters.

Any regrets about losing out on Anushka Sharma starrer NH 10?
I signed it when Frieda Pinto was doing it. The film took some time to go on floors. When the film finally shaped up, I was busy with Citylights. 

Mahesh Bhatt has asked your favourite Hansal Mehta to remake Saaransh...
I dont think we are asking Saraansh. Classics should not be tampered.  I am not in favour of remaking classics..

But what if Hansal insists that you should do it?
I will tell him to try and make a version which doesn't resemble the original.