Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth31 August 1984
Age40 Years
BirthplaceGurugram, Haryana, India
ProfessionActor
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
SpousePatralekha
FamilyFather: Satyapal Yadav (d. 2019); Mother: Kamlesh Yadav (d. 2016); Brother: Amit Rao; Sister: Monika
Rajkummar Rao Biography
Rajkummar Rao is an Indian actor from Gurugram who trained at FTII and Delhi University. He rose from small parts and theatre to win national and Filmfare–
Early life and backgroundRajkummar Rao was born Raj Kumar Yadav on 31 August 1984 in Gurugram, Haryana. Raised in a middle-class, film‑enthusiast joint family in Prem Nagar, he developed an early fascination for cinema and performing arts. He took part in school plays from the tenth grade onward and continued acting in college while commuting long distances between home, college and theatre classes in Mandi House.
Education and training formed an important part of his early trajectory. He studied at Blue Bells Model School in Gurugram, attended Delhi University for his undergraduate studies and later completed a course at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. His time in Delhi theatre and at FTII introduced him to peers and mentors who would play a role in his later film work.
Personal details
He changed his stage name to Rajkummar Rao on the suggestion of his mother. A vegetarian and a practising Hindu, Rao has spoken about modest financial beginnings and the struggles he faced after moving to Mumbai in 2008. He has also been involved in other interests outside acting: he trained in martial arts as a child, became a national level gold medallist in Taekwondo, and enjoys reading, travelling and dancing. Rao is a dog lover and a devotee of Lord Ganesha.
Career
Rajkummar Rao began appearing on screen with small parts before earning credited roles. His earliest on‑screen appearances include a brief non‑credited turn as a news reader in Rann (2010) and his first notable film role in Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). He continued building his résumé with supporting appearances and worked in theatre and advertisements while seeking larger projects.
Breakthroughs came in the early 2010s. Films such as Kai Po Che (2013) and Shahid (2013) brought wider recognition. His performance in Shahid earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He has since demonstrated range across independent and mainstream projects, with memorable work in films including Trapped, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton, CityLights and Badhaai Do.
Rao has also worked in digital formats; he headlined the web series Bose: Dead/Alive in 2017. Over the years he has been honored with multiple awards: apart from the National Film Award, he has won several Filmfare awards across critics and mainstream categories, as well as recognition at festivals and from industry bodies for films such as Newton and Trapped.
He is known for immersive preparation: for Raabta (2017) he underwent extensive prosthetics work to portray an aged character, and he has spoken about reading widely to inform his performances. His early contacts from the Delhi theatre scene, including casting support from Mukesh Chhabra, helped transition him from stage to screen.
Public profile
Rao is married to actress Patralekha; the couple wed on 15 November 2021 at Oberoi Sukhvilas, Chandigarh. He keeps a visible public life and has participated in national civic initiatives — in October 2023 he was named a National Icon by the Election Commission of India to promote voter participation.
He has faced occasional public controversies related to remarks or professional disagreements, which have been part of his public narrative. Rao has also addressed circulating rumours about his appearance, acknowledging a past minor chin filler while denying claims of extensive cosmetic surgery when a morphed image circulated in 2024.
Lifestyle and interests
Rao maintains a straightforward lifestyle; he has been described as preferring vegetarian food and has expressed admiration for a range of film actors and authors. He has collected vehicles including an Audi Q7 and a Harley Davidson Fat Bob. In 2022 he purchased a luxury triplex apartment in Mumbai’s Juhu neighbourhood. He has mentioned favourite films, books and music, and continues to be engaged with theatre and cinema communities.
Latest updates
In recent years Rao has continued to balance film and streaming projects while remaining an influential presence in Indian cinema. He received Filmfare and critics’ recognition for performances across 2023 and later projects, and his appointment as a National Icon in 2023 marked an expansion of his public role beyond acting.
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Recent Work
Web series in which he starred
2017Film for which he won a Filmfare Best Actor award
2023Film for which he won Critics’ Choice Best Actor (Male) at the Filmfare OTT Awards
2023Career Highlights
- National Film Award — Best Actor for Shahid (2013)
- Multiple Filmfare awards across critics and mainstream categories
- Asia Pacific Screen Award — Best Performance by an Actor for Newton
- Named National Icon by the Election Commission of India (October 2023)
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rajkummar Rao born?
Rajkummar Rao was born on 31 August 1984.
What is Rajkummar Rao known for?
Rajkummar Rao is known for actor.
What is Rajkummar Rao’s marital status?
Rajkummar Rao's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Rajkummar Rao married to?
Rajkummar Rao is publicly listed as married to Patralekha.
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