Did Rajkummar Rao Just Praise Rishabh Shetty for Kantara?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Rajkummar Rao's heartfelt remarks at the CII Big Picture Summit 2025 reveal his longing for more genuine storytelling in cinema. Praising Rishabh Shetty for 'Kantara', he highlights the importance of passion in filmmaking, emphasizing that creativity should come from the heart.
Key Takeaways
- Rajkummar Rao misses the presence of talented actors in cinema.
- He emphasizes the importance of storytelling from the heart.
- Data-driven decision-making is overshadowing genuine creativity.
- Rishabh Shetty’s 'Kantara' is a prime example of heartfelt filmmaking.
- Rao's recent accolades reflect his dedication to his craft.
Mumbai, December 1 (NationPress) Bollywood star Rajkummar Rao shared his sentiments at the CII Big Picture Summit 2025 on December 1, during a session titled 'The AI Era of Bridging Creativity and Commerce'. He openly expressed his longing for the presence of talented actors on screen and commended several filmmakers for their heartfelt storytelling.
Rao emphasized that, as an actor, he feels indifferent whether he is performing for streaming services or traditional films. He remarked, ‘I am still learning. It’s akin to theatre; sometimes, an average stage performer excels on streaming platforms, leaving you astonished at how a genuinely good film can go unnoticed. This situation prompts the question: what’s going on? It feels reminiscent of the theatre experience.”
He continued, “There’s considerable reliance on algorithms and data analysis, aspects we, as creatives, don’t fully grasp. I’m confident that when Coppola made ‘The Godfather’ or Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Manmohan Desai crafted their films, they didn’t consider target audiences or market segmentation. They were from a different time, simply eager to share their stories.”
Elaborating further, he said, “When I mention that I’m still learning, I truly mean that I miss that essence. We’ve become overly reliant on data. The art of storytelling from the heart seems to be fading.” Celebrating Rishabh Shetty for his work on Kantara, Rajkummar stated, “That’s what Rishabh Shetty achieved brilliantly in Karnataka. He didn’t aim to create an exotic film; he simply conveyed his story with conviction, resulting in a remarkable film that resonated widely.”
Rao expressed, “As a creative individual and actor, I genuinely miss that. I long to see exceptional actors on screen, whether in theatres or on streaming platforms. There’s so much more depth to storytelling when it comes from the heart.”
Recently, Rajkummar was awarded the Filmfare Award for his performance in Srikanth. On a personal note, he and his wife Patralekhaa welcomed a baby girl in November, coinciding with their anniversary.
–IANS
Point of View
Rajkummar Rao’s candid reflections on the current state of cinema underscore the need for authenticity in storytelling. His commendation of Rishabh Shetty’s work in 'Kantara' illustrates a yearning for genuine artistic expression, a sentiment that resonates deeply in an industry increasingly driven by analytics and trends.
NationPress
01/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rajkummar Rao say about talent in cinema?
Rajkummar Rao expressed his longing for more talented actors on screen and praised filmmakers who create films with genuine passion.
How did Rao feel about the influence of data on storytelling?
He believes that the reliance on data and algorithms has overshadowed the heart of storytelling, which he feels is essential for impactful cinema.
What did he commend Rishabh Shetty for?
Rao lauded Rishabh Shetty for his work on 'Kantara', highlighting how Shetty told his story with conviction and authenticity.
What recent achievement did Rajkummar Rao celebrate?
He recently won the Filmfare Award for his performance in 'Srikanth'.
What personal milestone did Rao and his wife recently celebrate?
Rajkummar Rao and his wife Patralekhaa welcomed a baby girl in November, on their anniversary.
