Last Updated:
Happy Birthday RajKummar Rao: Whether it’s a psychological thriller, romantic comedy, or gritty drama, his commitment to storytelling continues to raise the bar in Indian cinema.
At the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2025, Rajkummar Rao won two prestigious awards: Best Actor (Male) for his role in Stree 2 and the Star Of The Year award. (Image: rajkummar_rao/Instagram)
Rajkummar Rao is undoubtedly one of the most gifted actors in Bollywood. Known for his versatility and willingness to play different roles, the actor has carved a niche for himself. Whether it’s a psychological thriller, a romantic comedy, or a gritty drama, his commitment to storytelling continues to raise the bar in Indian cinema.
But his journey to Bollywood isn’t a cakewalk. The actor joined the Kshitij Theatre Group in Delhi in his college days and then relocated to Mumbai in 2008 to pursue a career in the film industry.
Rajkummar Rao’s Bollywood Journey
The actor made his first uncredited appearance in Ram Gopal Varma’s 2010 political thriller Rann. But his big break came with Dibakar Banerjee’s Love Sex Aur Dhokha later that year. He was one of the lead actors in the multi-protagonist film, and Rao’s performance met with critical acclaim.
Since then, his acting career took a turn for the better, and he never looked back.
He was part of producer Ekta Kapoor’s horror film Ragini MMS (2011), Bejoy Nambiar’s crime thriller Shaitan (2011), and Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012).
Till now, he has also featured in several great films like Talaash: The Answer Lies Within, Kai Po Che, Shahid, Queen, CityLights, Dolly Ki Doli, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, Aligarh, Trapped, Behen Hogi Teri, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, Stree, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, Ludo, Roohi, Hum Do Hamare Do, Badhaai Do, and more.
As RajKummar Rao turns a year older, let’s revisit his top five highest-grossing movies and take a sneak peek into the exciting projects he has lined up.
RajKummar Rao Birthday: Top 5 Highest-Grossing Movies
Stree 2 (2024)
This was RajKummar Rao’s best showing at the box office. Directed by Amar Kaushik, the horror comedy clocked around Rs 597.99 crore net in India. The film, also starring Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, was a treat for fans to watch as they were transported back to the Chanderi village, where a new threat looms in the form of Sarkata.
Stree (2018)
With Rs 129.83 crore, the first installment of the horror comedy franchise became the second-highest-grossing film of the actor. Stree featured RajKummar in a delightful role as a small-town tailor caught in a supernatural mess. The film became his biggest commercial success, thanks to its strong ensemble cast and clever mix of genres, offering both scares and laughs while also touching on themes of gender and superstition.
Bhool Chuk Maaf (2025)
Rajkummar Rao’s incredible comic timing in this romantic comedy earned him Rs 72.73 crore at the domestic box office. Directed and written by Karan Sharma, the film marked the maiden collaboration between Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi. Set in the vibrant lanes of Varanasi, the film takes viewers through Rajkummar Rao’s struggle of never-ending haldi ceremony. Every day, he wakes up to his haldi day on the 29th, expecting his wedding day on the following day, but it never arrives.
Srikanth (2024)
For this biographical drama, Rajkummar Rao stepped into the shoes of a visually impaired man, Srikanth Bolla. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh’s Seetharamapuram, the film showed how Srikanth faced significant challenges, including bullying and scepticism, but he braced through all to become an entrepreneur. Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, Srikanth throws light on the man’s journey to create Bollant Industries in 2012 for eco-friendly products and to employ unskilled and differently abled individuals. Srikanth was a box office success, earning Rs 48.07 crore at the domestic box office.
Kai Po Che! (2013)
Inspired by Chetan Bhagat’s novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life, Kai Po Che proved to be a breakthrough in Rajkummar Rao’s career. The Abhishek Kapoor directorial follows three friends – Govind (Rajkummar), Omi (Amit Sadh) and Ishaan (Sushant Singh Rajput), living in Gujarat – who face challenges in their lives, especially during the Godhra train tragedy and the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. Rajkummar’s performance as a practical and ambitious friend who feels the weight of responsibility on his shoulders resonated well with the audience and minted Rs 49.25 crore.
RajKummar Rao Birthday: Upcoming Projects
Toaster
Directed by Vivek Das Chaudhary, the star-studded comedy features him alongside Sanya Malhotra. Toaster also boasts an ensemble cast, including Archana Puran Singh, Farah Khan, Abhishek Banerjee, Upendra Limaye, and Seema Pahwa. Produced by Rajkummar and his wife, Patralekhaa, the comedy film promises to be a light-hearted yet meaningful addition to their growing creative portfolio.
Guns & Gulaabs Season 2
Buckle up! The second season of the Netflix series is going to make a much-anticipated return soon. Guns & Gulaabs Season 2 will see the OG cast reprising their roles – Rajkummar Rao as Paana Tipu, Dulquer Salmaan as Arjun Varma, Adarsh Gourav as Jugnu and Gulshan Devaiah as Cut Atmaram – along with other actors from Season 1.
Ujjwal Nikam Biopic
The actor will soon commence filming for this high‑voltage courtroom drama, directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware. Inspired by the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Ujjwal Nikam biopic will go on floors in the last quarter of 2025 with a start-to-finish schedule.
While the film is inspired by real events and features a real-life figure at its centre, Maddock Films has clarified that the film will focus on the intense courtroom drama and legal fight for justice after the 2008 attacks, rather than chronicling his entire life or career.
Stree 3
He will also bring the horror comedy back on screens with the third installment of the Stree franchise. The horror-comedy series will see Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao reprise their roles in Stree 3, leaving fans excited. Mark your calendars! The film is slated to hit the theatres on August 13, 2027.
Sourav Ganguly biopic
RajKummar Rao will step into the shoes of former skipper Sourav Ganguly for his much-awaited biopic. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the upcoming biographical film is expected to release in theatres by December 2026.
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te…Read More
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te… Read More
