Rajkummar Rao is yet again working with filmmaker Hansal Mehta after delivering plenty of great performances like Shahid, Citylights, Aligarh and Omerta, which were all in the intense zone. Interestingly, Rajkummar's fifth collaboration with the National Award-winning filmmaker is Chhalaang, which is a social comedy and would take Rajkummar back to his college days and his first job.
Set in Haryana, Rajkummar plays a PT master, named Montu, in a semi-government funded school, with Nushrat Bharucha as his love interest Neelu. Talking about his preparation for his role “My prep involved getting the Haryanvi accent right and learning about the fitness routine taught to kids in school,” he informs, admitting that as a boy, he had loved PT drills and his teachers doted on him because he was good in every sport. “In fact, one of my teachers wanted me to focus exclusively on sports and not get distracted by dance and acting.”
In the film, Montu addresses the value of sports education in the school curriculum, pointing out that the PT teacher instills discipline and fitness in the students while making it fun for them. “Unfortunately, they are not often appreciated,” rues Rajkummar.
Interestingly, back in 2004, before moving to Mumbai and getting into film, Rajkummar Rao used to be a drama teacher. “While I was in college, I taught dance and dramatics at the DAV Public School in Gurgaon for a few hours in the morning before lectures. I was more of a friend to my students than a teacher because there was not much of an age gap. In fact, I was the youngest teacher in school and as enthusiastic about honing my acting skills as the extra money. I even directed a play, Sikander, during this three-month stint. It was a historical and showcased the battle between Alexander and Porus,” he reveals.
The first poster of Chhalaang was funny and insightful which has raised the excitement level amongst the audience. Directed by Hansal, written By Luv Ranjan, Aseem Arrora & Zeishan Quadri, Chalaang is produced By Ajay Devgn, Luv and Ankur Garg whereas the story is written by Luv. The film is all set to release by March 13, 2020.
(Source: PeepingMoon)
