Acting was no accident for Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar. Representatives of the Anti-Nepotism Movement, as Karan Johar likes to term their slot, Raj and Bhumi have always known their passion. With film releases around the corner (cue on Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and Sonchiriya) and blockbusters under their belt, Raj and Bhumi are stars already. But to them, the moment only came with their debut on KJo-hosted chat show Koffee With Karan.
Poised, relaxed and funny. That’s Bhumi for you. Charming, humble and very happy in his space – ladies and gentlemen, Rajkummar epitomizes a grounded man we all want next door but is actually a heavyweight actor with 25 odd terrific performances to his credit. The guy is incapable of delivering a dud if you ask us.
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Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar on Koffee With Karan[/caption]
Say Hello to ‘Toilet ki Bhumi’ and Raj in the most comfortable and relatable episode of Karan’s show. Both the stars looked a lot more like co-stars who have worked on several films together, and the watertight camaraderie makes us hope a director grants our wish soon. Was it their love for the craft? Was it the rawness that always precedes them in a room? Was it just two utmost honest celebrities chatting in a coffee shop? Whatever it was, it for sure worked. Because, in a long time have we seen actors get so anxious about being on air, let alone get stuck with the entire idea of being in a coveted zone.
This could also be because Rajkummar and Bhumi are outsiders to this world of gloss n’ glam. The former has no plans of changing in the long run, howsoever. He wants to be happy doing what he is doing, turning every role and character into this iconic delivery worth sending for Oscars. Bhumi, on the other hand, has established herself as this gaon ki gori who people assume, as she says, cannot speak English or be slim and stylish. Can’t blame them though, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan did that to most of us.
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Both the new-age actors had unconventional and quick answers to Karan’s queries. When asked about marriage, the Newton star said he still feels like a kid in his mind. For those not in the know, he has been dating his Citylights co-actor Patralekhaa for about 8-9 years now. The two have been very forthcoming about their love affair, a wave of fresh air in this universe of ‘just friends.’
Bhumi was quite a revelation. Three movies old, and not once did we catch a hint that she has auditioned Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra, Kriti Sanon and Disha Patani during her tenure at Yash Raj Films. Disha was kaccha nimbu initially revealed the Lust Stories star who has worked as an Assistant Casting Director under YRF’s Shanoo Sharma. Full marks to the starlet for calling a spade a spade. And for agreeing to weigh 95 kilos in her first film. GUTS! “Roadie hai Ayushmann (Khurrana)!” she said.
Not for once did Karan choose to walk the other side of the road and it was an easy-flowing conversation with Bhumi and Raj. That doesn’t mean he’d skip chapters, he described the incident when Bhumi once took him to a “dhaba” in Berlin. When prodded, Bhumi confessed to crushing on her co-stars, prefers no strings attached over a serious boyfriend and would give her kidney to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. While she finds Aditya Roy Kapur cute, she’d like to steal the love of Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ life, Nick Jonas for she has grown up watching his songs. (Insane, right?)
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Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar[/caption]
Of course, the elephant in the room was addressed heads on. Manmarziyaan, Andhadhun or Stree – the film of the year? “Karan, pleej,” came the breakthrough actor’s answer. Let’s face it – Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann and Rajkummar are changing cinema in India, one film at a time. Tip our hats to them! Raj, refreshingly, seems to have a cakewalk when it comes to his girlfriend’s insecurity and jealousy. Not surprising, considering Raj is such a gentleman and a darling of a person! Nonetheless, he had a crush on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during Fanney Khan and if given a chance, would like to take Deepika Padukone out on a date. Ask him about which actress he wants to work with, the extremely talented Alia Bhatt is his pick.
No diplomacy was found in this entire tete-a-tete brewed over a cuppa joe. Just two celebrities happy to be doing their own thing, unmindful of the results and multi-crore box office race. But after securing a National Award, Rajkummar would like the money to finally flow in.
This tension-free, breezy chat is our star for the Sunday night’s episode. They came, they conquered, and they left. Except Bhumi took the hamper home!
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