Rajkummar Rao on Fading Parallel Cinema Offers After Stree Success

Rajkummar Rao reveals that indie films like Trapped no longer reach him post-Stree, but insists he still seeks powerful stories over budgets.

New Delhi, July 8: Rajkummar Rao, widely regarded as one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema, has admitted that independent and parallel cinema projects like Trapped have gradually stopped coming his way after the blockbuster success of Stree in 2018. In a candid conversation with ANI, the actor acknowledged the shift in the kind of scripts he receives, adding that although he remains eager to do art-house films, such stories are no longer landing on his table.

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Rao’s rise to critical acclaim was cemented through films like Shahid, Aligarh, and Trapped, earning him a reputation for balancing intense, content-rich storytelling with commercial viability. But the surprise success of the horror-comedy Stree marked a turning point in his filmography, leading him more toward mainstream cinema.

In an interview, Rao said, “Of course, as an actor, I love doing films like Trapped. I would still love to do them, but those kinds of stories are not reaching me, to be honest.”

He clarified that his preference isn’t driven by nostalgia, nor is he desperate to “chase” low-budget films for their own sake. “I don’t want to do it just for the sake of it. I should not do a smaller film just because I haven’t done it in a while. I always look for good, exciting stories, and a story has to do something within me for me to say yes,” he explained.

Rao emphasized that the decision to take up a film is never dictated by its budget. “I never see the budget of the film—how big it is. For me, it’s always the story, the director, and the producer. These three things are the only things that matter while saying yes to a project,” he added.

Up next for Rajkummar is the gangster drama Maalik, directed by Pulkit, featuring former Miss World Manushi Chhillar and Bengali screen icon Prosenjit Chatterjee in pivotal roles. The film is slated for a theatrical release on July 11, 2025.

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Manushi Chhillar Opens Up on Her Bollywood Journey

Speaking alongside Rajkummar, Manushi Chhillar reflected on her unexpected transition from medicine to beauty pageants and then to Bollywood. “I don’t think my goal was ever to become a supermodel. I was studying to be a doctor when I went into pageantry. Miss World was a big dream that came true. At 20, with such a platform, I wanted to see what’s next and build a career,” she said.

Chhillar, who made her debut with Samrat Prithviraj opposite Akshay Kumar, described herself as a newcomer, even after three years in the industry. “I still feel my career started three years ago, because that’s when my first film was released. And that’s how I see myself,” she said.

In Maalik, Manushi plays Shalini, wife to Shahid Kapoor‘s character (mentioned only in casting reference), while Prosenjit Chatterjee portrays a police officer. The film aims to combine gripping gangster action with layered emotional arcs.

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As Rajkummar Rao continues to explore more mainstream narratives while holding out hope for meaningful cinema, Maalik stands as another milestone in his evolving journey. Meanwhile, for Manushi Chhillar, it marks a significant step in shaping her identity beyond the Miss World crown. With a powerful ensemble and an intense narrative, Maalik is poised to test the depth of performance from both established and emerging talents.