Rajkummar Rao Speaks To Subhash K Jha On His Support Of The LGBTQ Community and the MeToo Movement.

What is your opinion on the way the LGBT community is represented in mainstream Hindi cinema?

Times are changing and so is our cinema. I’ve been a part of some really wonderful films addressing the issues of LGBTQ rights like Aligarh  and  now Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh AisaLaga and am very happy the way people have received these stories.

Would you play a gay or a transgender character if offered ?

Of course, if there is an exciting character that comes my way. I’m open to playing anything as long as there is something for me to explore as an actor.

In Ek Ladki Ko Dekha you play the catalyst that helps the lesbian heroine to her fulfilment . Do you feel the community needs support from mainstream sources ?

Absolutely, we as a society should support LGBTQ rights and why only mainstream sources? I believe everybody needs to support them.

Sonam Kapoor  in her own way makes bold choices but you are the king of bold choices . What exactly impels you to play unusual characters ?

I like pushing my boundaries and play characters that can challenge me. I also feel whenever there is a chance to talk about something which is socially relevant or which can make people think through my films i should always do that.

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga didn’t  perform  too well at  the  boxoffice . Does that disappoint you  ? Does it mean audiences are not prepared to accept films about the gay community ?

We got so much of love for Ek Ladki… it’s overwhelming. Every film is not meant to break box office records.There are some films you do as actors and as human beings because there is a very important story in it which needs to be told.

Tell me about your next release Mental Hai Kya ? Do you play mental or just experimental?

Mental Hai Kya, the trailer will be out soon and I’ll be in a better place to talk about it then. All I can say is, I’m really looking forward to it.

What is the one character that you crave to play and why?

All my characters and all the characters that I’m going to play in near future, I crave for them because I love my work and would love to do it till my last breath.

Finally you have spoken up about the harassment charge against Raj Kumar Hirani. How important is it for powerful voices in the entertainment industry to speak up against sexual harassment ?

All I would say is, without knowing the proper facts and without speaking to both the parties concerned, I am not in a position to form any opinion against anyone. I’m all in support of the movement and women all over the world should feel safe and secure at the workplace and it’s our responsibility to make the workplace safe for them.