Rajkummar Rao has built a strong filmography portraying characters rooted in small-town India. From "Kai Po Che" to "Bareilly Ki Barfi," "Newton," and "Stree," he's consistently delivered authentic performances that resonate with audiences. But does the actor himself believe it's become easy for him to slip into the roles of these relatable, small-town heroes?

According to Rao, the connection to these characters isn't necessarily about ease, but about lived experience. He explains that he has seen these people and lived a similar life, which creates a "relatable factor." This inherent understanding allows him to bring a certain authenticity to his portrayals.

While his background undoubtedly informs his performances, Rao is careful to emphasize that it isn't simply a matter of showing up and playing himself. Each character requires dedicated research and homework. Different dialects, accents, and nuances need to be mastered to create a believable and compelling portrayal.

Currently, Rao is promoting his latest film, "Bhool Chuk Maaf," a romantic comedy set in Varanasi. In the film, he plays Ranjan, a man eagerly anticipating his wedding who finds himself trapped in a time loop, reliving his Haldi ceremony day. While the film's comedic premise is lighthearted, Rao emphasizes that comedy is a "specialized form of art" that requires hard work.

Wamiqa Gabbi, who stars alongside Rao in "Bhool Chuk Maaf," also expressed a strong connection to her character, Titli. She hopes that audiences will relate to Titli, just as she did when she first read the script. Both actors credit the director, Karan Sharma, and producer, Dinoo, for their contributions to the film. Sharma praised Rao and Gabbi as "great actors" and "great humans," while Vijan admitted to feeling nervous before every release, despite his production house's track record of success. He recognizes that ultimately, the audience is the judge.

Rao has previously spoken about facing biases in the film industry due to his small-town background. He revealed that he was replaced in some films because bigger actors wanted the roles and that some people questioned how he could be a lead actor. Despite these challenges, he has persevered and carved out a successful career by embracing his roots and delivering memorable performances. He acknowledged that in relatable characters sometimes a bit of yourself is visible and that is why people end up connecting to those characters.

"Bhool Chuk Maaf," which also features Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra, and Raghubir Yadav, will be released in cinemas soon.