Meet Bollywood’s latest item boy

From Queen to Citylights, 2014 was a good year for Rajkummar Rao. And now he is ready to make a splash in 2015 too in a very different avatar in his next release Dolly Ki Doli that hits theatres soon. The serious actor will be seen shaking a leg with one of the industry’s best item girls Malaika Arora Khan. Ask him about his item number and Rajkummar admits to have been a bundle of nerves. “Initially, I was a nervous wreck. Both Malaika and Arbaaz sat me down and once we broke the ice, it wasn’t difficult. Honestly, I’ve always enjoyed dancing and the item number has helped me get a new image.”

Speaking of this leap in characterisation, Rajkummar says, “Initially I was unsure about other people’s perception when they’d see me paired opposite Kangna Ranaut, Sonam Kapoor and Vidya Balan. I didn’t have an image of a romantic or a commercial hero. But I’d like to believe that that I’ve proved my potential.”

The actor who has just returned from a two-week vacation in New York with his lady love and actress Patralekha, says that hiding a relationship is not his style. “Either you’re in a relationship or you’re not. A celebrity’s life is always under the scanner. Hiding your relationship status will only trigger more speculations. I’d rather live in peace and let the media not stress about it,” he says with a laugh. He adds that he is ecstatic about Patralekha bagging a film that will be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “We do discuss our work but there is no hard and fast rule. She’s allowed to make her own choices. She’s extremely sensible and I’m not a control freak either. I think we’re in happy space, both personally and professionally.”

Starring in a banner that has the successful Dabangg franchise in its name can be daunting. Rajkummar stays pragmatic. “Those films had Salman Khan in the lead role. I’m sure Arbaaz would want DKD to reach the 100-crore mark. But Salman is a superstar while I am just a few films old. The pressure is to maintain the belief and faith that my producers have shown in me. I still have time to develop my image and clout before I start worrying about entering the 100-crore club. However if DKD manages to touch that mark, I’ll only be too happy.”