Rajkummar Rao has earned heaps of praises by using his outclass acting skills in Bose: Dead/Alive, Kai Po Che!, Omerta, and various other flicks that compelled Bollywood to change.
Now that he is slowly turning into a “big picture hero,” here’s a look back at three of his most-underrated movies.
1. Shaitan (2011)
Based on a real-life story with a killer soundtrack and picturization, Shaitan wowed critics in all aspects.
Taran Adarsh wrote for a Bollywood Hungama review, “Shaitan is bound to raise eyebrows thanks to its contemporary, thrilling, hard-hitting and forceful content.”
Alongside Rao, it assembled the great talent of stars Kalki Koechlin, Gulshan Devaiah, and Rukhsar Rehman, which already gives an idea about its show-stealing script. Even when the plot loses track during some parts, it doesn’t turn into a train-wreck.
2. Shahid (2012)
Again taking inspiration from reality, director Hansal Mehta turned lawyer Shahid Azmi’s buzzing nerve into a brilliant film like Shahid.
The story-telling used never loses its driving power, keeping the viewer on a mental edge throughout.
Not only is Shahid underrated, it includes one of Arijit Singh’s most overlooked song, Beparwah, which also possesses the guts to challenge one’s soul.
3. Newton (2017)
Unlike the previous two movies above, Newton has many comical moments since it belongs to the genre of black comedy.
Rao played a simply earnest government servant who has named himself Newton.
The best thing about the production is that it addressed a serious matter of elections in a light tone, but not once took the problem itself lightly.
Actors Pankaj Tripathi, Raghubir Yadav, Anjali Patil, and even Sanjay Mishra in a very small cameo made every flicker of the frame count.
