In a recent interview, Gajraj Rao discusses his difficult time in Bollywood.
One of Bollywood’s multifaceted performers, Gajrao Rao has consistently delivered outstanding performances on screen. The actor has gained popularity among fans in recent years and has produced some excellent work in Hindi films, including, to name a few, Maja Ma, Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan, and Badhaai Ho. Gajraj shared the history of the casting director who asked him to lower his rates in a recent interview.
Gajraj is one of the most unassuming actors in the business; his admirers adore his down-to-earth demeanour. He is always extremely gracious in interviews, which makes him approachable.
Recently, Gajraj Rao participated in a podcast interview and discussed his difficult days working in Bollywood. He said, “I did a number of jobs, but I didn’t have the correct support structure around me to steer me in the right route. The financial position was really challenging at one point. It’s simple for me to say this right now, in a cool environment, but when you’re hungry, all of your fancies and dreams are thrown out the window. And supporting the family was crucial at the moment.
“I like having financial security now, because I’ve worked hard for 25 to 30 years,” the Badhaai Ho actor continued. I have no problem saying that I enjoy using fancy phones, travelling, and staying in upscale accommodations. I don’t want to feel guilty about going in business class and staying in 5-star hotels. I want it for my family and for myself because I want to give them the best. If someone gets sick and needs a hospital, I don’t want to be torn.
In addition, Gajraj Rao discussed how a casting director requested that he drop his rates, saying, “He told me to reduce my prices, saying it’s only 20 days work. I told him that I had done all of the labour for free during those 20 days. I explained to him that I was billing him for the many years of “homework” I had completed to get here. This was my payment for all those times when I used to trek on foot from Town to Andheri while subsisting on 20 chais, sleeping hungry, and listening to abuse. Free for the next 20 days
