While Rajkummar Rao maintains a neutral silence on Abhay Deol’s post against endorsing fairness creams by actors, he tells us of the time when as a struggling one, he turned down a role because of the fairness factor.
Who rejected you?
A director. When I was looking for work in Mumbai around seven years back, I used to look different from what I look today. I did an audition for a director who was making his debut film (I won’t name who he is). He really liked my test but told me, ‘Acting is fine, but I can’t give you a lead part because leading heroes are supposed to be fair and muscular. But do you want to play a small character in my film?’ I didn’t do his film because I couldn’t agree with his theory of filmmaking.
Was that discouraging – to be discriminated against because of the colour of your skin in your own country?
I didn’t feel discouraged because I knew it would happen. There are all kinds of people in the industry. I knew that I would find people who would match my sensibilities and would think of me as their leading actor. God’s been too kind because I have met some really amazing people here. But I’ll never endorse a fairness cream no matter how much money I am offered.
Did you have any other interesting experience with regards to your looks?
Once there was this guy who told me that my eye brows were not right. It was the most bizarre statement ever. I think my eyebrows are really nice. The same director then wanted to cast me in his next film post Shahid and Kai Po Che as his leading man, but I didn’t work with him.
Has anybody else in Bollywood faced the same issue where complexion is concerned?
I don’t know if now anybody cares about your complexion — especially, in the case of men — but I do know a couple of my female actress friends who have faced this complexion issue. I find this whole thing very stupid! I’m very proud of my skin colour.
Would you ever do a film revolving around complexions?
Yes, if somebody writes an interesting story around it. I would love to be a part of it.
