Rajkummar Rao on his support for LGBTQ and the Me Too movement

As the actor continues to soak in praise for his role in the film Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, he talks about the growing representation of the LGBT community in mainstream Hindi cinema. “Times are changing and so is our cinema. I’ve been a part of some really wonderful films addressing the issues of LGBTQ rights like Aligarh, and now, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and am very happy with the way people have received these stories,” he says. The actor also feels that support for the community should not only come from mainstream cinema but “everybody needs to support them”. When asked if he would play a character belonging to the LGBTQ community, the actor says, “Of course, if there is an exciting character that comes my way. I’m open to playing anything as long as there is something for me to explore as an actor.”

In fact, it is this drive to develop as an actor that guides Rajkummar’s choice of roles. He tells us, “I like pushing my boundaries and playing characters that can challenge me. I also feel that whenever there is a chance to talk about something which is socially relevant or which can make people think through my films, I should always do that.” And it’s because of this philosophy that the actor doesn’t lose sleep over the box office collections. Hence, even though Ek Ladki… didn’t do too well at the BO, the actor says that the response the film is getting more than makes up for it. “We got so much of love for Ek Ladki... it’s overwhelming. Every film is not meant to break the box office records. There are some films you do as actors and as human beings because there is a very important story in it that needs to be told,” he says.

The actor, who recently spoke up about the sexual harassment charge against Rajkumar Hirani, says that it is important for workplaces to be safe and secure, especially for women. Talking about the MeToo movement, he says, “I’m all in support of the movement and women all over the world should feel safe and secure at the workplace and it’s our responsibility to make the workplace safe for them.”