Gajraj Rao names Irrfan, Manoj Bajpayee as his mentors in candid podcast
Synopsis
In a rare candid conversation, Gajraj Rao named Irrfan and Manoj Bajpayee as the mentors he watches 'from a distance' — and revealed that working with Akshay Kumar on Jolly LLB 3 completely overturned what he had heard about the star. A candid look at how India's finest character actor built himself, one small role at a time.
Key Takeaways
Gajraj Rao named Irrfan and Manoj Bajpayee as his mentors on the 'Pehla Pehla' podcast with Gopal Datt .
He cited Anil Kapoor as an example of sustained energy and dedication across decades.
Rao said his opinion of Akshay Kumar changed after working together on Jolly LLB 3 , calling him 'very innocent' and 'disciplined'.
He traced his roots to a modest railway quarter in Delhi and his early love for cinema through the theatres of Connaught Place .
Rao described one-liner roles as 'the most difficult' and recalled his initial doubts about working with TVF .
Actor Gajraj Rao has opened up about the towering figures who shaped his craft, naming screen legends Irrfan and Manoj Bajpayee as his mentors in a candid new interview. The actor made the revelation on the latest episode of the 'Pehla Pehla' podcast hosted by Gopal Datt, available on the IVM Pop YouTube channel.
The Mentors Who Shaped Him
Reflecting on the influences that have guided his career, Rao said, 'You look for your mentors. I have many mentors. Irrfan, Manoj Bajpayee, they are my mentors. You look at them from a distance and see how they handle themselves.' He also cited Anil Kapoor as an example of sustained dedication, noting how the veteran actor has maintained his energy and commitment from the 1980s and 1990s through to the present day.
A Revised View of Akshay Kumar
Rao also spoke candidly about a change of heart regarding Akshay Kumar, with whom he worked on Jolly LLB 3. 'Earlier, I used to hear what kind of person he is. You believe in hearsay. But he is very innocent. He is disciplined,' Rao said. He added that Kumar's relentless work ethic — even if every project does not land — reflects an honest approach to the craft. 'Doing bad things is not a crime. No one has a formula. You never intentionally do bad things,' he observed.
From Railway Quarters to the Silver Screen
The wide-ranging conversation traced Rao's journey from growing up in a modest railway quarter in Delhi to becoming one of Indian cinema's most recognisable character actors. He recalled discovering his passion for film through the iconic theatres of Connaught Place, finding his footing in theatre, and stumbling into his first major stage role. He also revisited the early struggles of his years in Mumbai.
On One-Liner Roles and the TVF Chapter
Rao did not shy away from the unglamorous early chapters of his career. 'I remember that one-liner roles are the most difficult. You feel that this is the boat that will take you across the river. I didn't even show my face in it,' he said. He also recalled initial reservations about working with TVF, an association that eventually became a significant milestone in his career trajectory.
The 'Pehla Pehla' podcast with Gopal Datt is currently streaming on the IVM Pop YouTube channel.
Point of View
Studied rather than approached, speaks to a culture where craft is absorbed by watching, not by networking. His revised view of Akshay Kumar is also notable: it cuts against the prevailing critical consensus and suggests that on-set reputation often diverges sharply from public perception. For an industry obsessed with star power, Rao's career arc — from invisible one-liner roles to awards recognition — remains one of Bollywood's most instructive long games.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Gajraj Rao name as his mentors?
Gajraj Rao named actors Irrfan and Manoj Bajpayee as his mentors, saying he observes them from a distance to learn how they carry themselves. He made the remarks on the 'Pehla Pehla' podcast hosted by Gopal Datt.
What did Gajraj Rao say about Akshay Kumar?
Rao said working with Akshay Kumar on Jolly LLB 3 changed his opinion of the star. He described Kumar as 'very innocent' and 'disciplined', adding that consistently working — even on projects that don't succeed — reflects a genuine commitment to the craft.
Where can the 'Pehla Pehla' podcast episode be watched?
The episode featuring Gajraj Rao is available to stream on the IVM Pop YouTube channel. The podcast is hosted by Gopal Datt.
What did Gajraj Rao say about one-liner roles?
Rao described one-liner roles as 'the most difficult', recalling how each small part felt like a lifeline early in his career. He noted that he sometimes did not even appear on screen in such roles.
Where did Gajraj Rao grow up and how did he discover cinema?
Rao grew up in a modest railway quarter in Delhi and discovered his love for cinema through the iconic theatres of Connaught Place. He later found his way into theatre before eventually moving to Mumbai to pursue a film career.
