Rajkummar Rao recalls he was left with Rs 18 in bank, survived on Parle G and Frooti: ‘I would cycle 70 kms to reach acting school’

Speaking about his pre-fame struggle in Mumbai, Rajkummar said, “The most difficult time was facing financial difficulty and getting no work. My mother supported me a lot and when I would run out of money, she would arrange it and send. I remember once I was left with only Rs 18 in my account and that too in a city like Mumbai. I used to spend very frugally. We three used to live in one flat and I used to skip lunch and have one Parle G and Frooti for lunch. My lunch would cost me Rs 4 at the time.”

While Rajkummar faced financial struggle, his FTII batchmates often came to his recue. He added, “Now, the day I was left with only Rs 18, I was thinking what will I do? We have a FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) committee in Mumbai. A lot of our seniors and juniors live here. So, you can ring anybody and ask them what are they having for dinner and if you can come.”

Even before coming to Mumbai, Rajkummar started his preparation to become an a actor. Narrating his preparation during his time in Delhi and how he would cycle for 140 kms everyday to reach his acting school, he said, “I started preparing to become an actor after school. After completing school, I joined Sri Ram Centre in Delhi, it’s an acting school. I was 18 at the time. So, somebody told me to join college for graduation so that I can get a bus pass. In that way you can save money. I got to know this very late. Before that I used to go to the acting school on bicycle and would ride the cycle for 70 kms up and down. I would hear songs like “Lakshya Ko Har Haal Me Pana Hai,” “Papa Kahte Hain” and all on my walkman on my way there. It sounds filmy now but it used to be a lot of fun.”

Rajkummar is currently busy with the promotion of his upcoming film Srikanth. He also has Mr and Mrs Mahi with Janhvi Kapoor, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video with Tripti Dimri and the most awaited Stree 3 in the pipeline.