'Dolly Ki Doli' brought out my dancing skills: Rajkummar Rao

New Delhi: National-award-winner Rajkummar Rao, known for his more intense outings in ‘Shahid' and ‘CityLights', is happy that his latest release ‘Dolly Ki Doli' got him recognition as a dancing star.  The actor matched steps with Malaika Arora Khan in the special number ‘Fashion Khatam' and later with film's star cast in ‘Babaji'.

“I have always been presented as a serious actor in my films but I am happy that I got the opportunity to show my dancing skills besides playing a serious role. People have praised my dance in ‘Dolly Ki Doli'. When I signed the film, I didn't know that I will get to dance on two songs,” Rajkummar told PTI.

The comedy, which released on January 23, starred Sonam Kapoor, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles besides Rajkummar.

He played a Haryanvi guy in the film, who is charmed and later robbed by a runaway bride, played by Sonam.  “I have a small role in the film but I liked my role a lot. There was a lot of scope to perform because I am not at all like my character. I am a Haryanvi in real life but we hardly speak the language at home,” he said.  

After ‘Dolly Ki Doli', the actor will be next seen in ‘Shimla Mirch' opposite Hema Malini. The film is being directed by ‘Sholay' director Ramesh Sippy.  Rajkummar said the film is a “twisted love story” and sharing screen space with Malini was a “dream come true”.  

“The film is a twisted love story. We just finished shooting. It was a good opportunity for me to work with two cinema legends—Hemaji and Sippy sir. I first met her during the workshop of the film and I was completely in awe of her beauty and talent,” he said.

Rajkummar got his first break in Bollywood with Dibakar Banerjee's 2010 film ‘Love Sex aur Dhokha' and went on to star in suppering roles in ‘Shaitan', ‘Gangs of Wasseypur 2' and ‘Chiitagong' among others.

Hansal Mehta's ‘Shahid' won him his first national award and his life changed after that.

“I am more known as a national-award winning actor than the hero of a film. The award encouraged me to perform well and do more films. I am open to doing interesting roles irrespective of length,” he said.

Rajkummar is also doing ‘Humari Adhuri Kahaani' with Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi. The film is directed by Mohit Suri.  “I am doing an extended cameo in the film. It's a love story. I am doing it for Bhatt sahab (Mahesh Bhatt). He convinced me to be a part of the film,” the actor said.  Rajkummar is currently busy shooting for Mehta's untitled film in UP. It is Mehta and Rajkummar's third collaboration.