Rajkummar Rao and Toaster creators open up on Struggles of Comedy and Producing

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It may look simple on paper or screen but executing it is incredibly difficult. It’s, however, so satisfying when it works,” says actor Rajkummar Rao, who plays the lead as the miserly Ramakant in the just-released quirky, dark comedy Toaster on Netflix. The actor, who has played several memorable everyday hero characters, took on the challenging task of bringing to life Ramakant, who tries all tricks to get a toaster, which he bought as a wedding gift, back after the wedding is cancelled. Building the character of Ramakant meant finding details that define him and make him well-rounded. “I always look for something specific — almost like a prop or habit. With him, it was about his frugality. For instance, when he switches off the mosquito racquet that’s put on charge because it might increase the electricity bill, it becomes a moment and adds to his traits,” says Rao, known for his compelling performances in movies such as Shahid (2013), Trapped (2016), Newton (2017) and Srikanth (2024). ALSO READ | Meet Reble: The Rapper Redefining Bollywood’s Soundtrack with Dhurandhar While drama remains Rao’s preferred genre, he is also known for his comic-timing in Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), Stree (2018) and Ludo (2020) among others. “For comedy to work, you need a strong script, the right cast and a director who understands timing,” he says. “Paresh (Rawal) ji once narrated how even after giving multiple takes for a particular scene, it was still not working out. When he was told, ‘Sir, kuchh funny kar dijiye (Sir, please do something funny),’ his response was: ‘Funny chahiye toh funny likho na (Write a funny scene if you want humour on camera)’. So, a good script is crucial.” Toaster, which follows the story of Ramakant’s petty fixation of getting the appliance back, eventually spiralling into an unexpected situation, is directed by Vivek Daschaudhary and produced by Patralekhaa. This marks the debut of the actor, who is also married to Rao, as a producer. Patralekhaa is also producing the forthcoming thriller-drama Raftaar, scheduled for theatrical release on July 24, under the banner KAMPA Films, which she has co-founded with Rao. For her, taking on production responsibilities has been an eye opener. “It may sound fancy but it is a 24×7 job. You can’t switch off,” says Rao. Patralekhaa and Rao had their first child, daughter Parvati, last November. For Patralekhaa, stepping into production while embracing motherhood turned out to be “a blessing in disguise.” “This actually pulled me out of a black hole,” she admits, referring to the pandemic years when the Toaster script first came to Rao. When they approached Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films, Netflix India, it immediately struck a chord with her. “I have known Patralekhaa and Rajkummar for a long time. They are extremely focused on their craft, and there is a certain goodwill they bring along,” says Kapoor Sheikh. For Rao, the move into production felt organic. “It was a natural progression. We have been part of the industry for a long time and there are so many stories we want to tell. Often, those stories don’t get made. We thought, ‘Why not take that step ourselves?’ Cinema is our shared passion,” he says. The cast of Toaster brings together several actors, including Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Farah Khan, Upendra Limaye, Vinod Rawat, Jitendra Joshi and Seema Pahwa. To direct the movie, Rao roped in Daschaudhury. “We have known each other for a while and were trying to develop something else but Toaster felt like the right project to begin with. Everyone has an anecdote about someone like Ramakant that they know,” says the debutant director. Having worked extensively in advertising, this film marks a natural next step for him as a filmmaker. The camaraderie on set helped create fun moments. “Comedy gives you a huge playground. You can improvise, play off your co-actors. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But I had a lot of fun. Archana ji is brilliant and Farah brings such a unique energy. Abhishek and I are friends. We share the same passion for cinema. That helps in comedy because you have to be present in the moment. Your co-actors keep you on your toes,” he says. Daschaudhury chips in to clarify that in the movie, the characters played by Banerjee and Rao are “definitely not friends.” ALSO READ | Akshay Kumar-Wamiqa Gabbi pairing sparks debate: Bollywood heroes and their widening age-gap with heroines With this movie, Patralekhaa begins her journey as a producer and Rao returns to the familiar territory of comedy. Reflecting on this, Rao says: “I want to do selective projects but they should stay with people. In the past, I have played such diverse roles. That’s how I want to be known… as someone you can’t box in.” He is also quick to defend comedy’s place in cinema. “People often think of comedy as one-note but it’s not. Films like Bareilly Ki Barfi, Ludo or Toaster show how layered it can be.” When asked about the increase in the number of movies that celebrate masculinity, Rao believes there is room for every kind of storytelling. “All kinds of films can co-exist. No one is forcing anyone to watch anything. But there should be space for everything,” says Rao, whose new movies include Nikam, based on public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam’s life and Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story. Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism. Expertise & Accolades In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023. Global Industry Leadership Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies: Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema. Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends. Focus & Vision Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More