Latest news with #Raunaq
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
I want to break my boy-next-door image & play grey characters: Raunaq Kamdar
Raunaq Kamdar Whatever I have achieved in my life and career till now is because of the choices I made, and nothing else,' says Raunaq Kamdar , who will be completing 10 years in Gujarati films soon. The Kasoombo actor adds, 'It's evident that there are two distinct phases in my career-pre-COVID and post-COVID. While I have been working since 2015, I got recognition only after 2020. Earlier, I did whatever I was offered. But now, I am at a stage where I get to choose what I want to do from the numerous scripts I am offered.' '90 per cent of my career trajectory has been a result of my choices' Talking about how things changed for him after COVID, Raunaq says, 'When I did 21mu Tiffin (2021), a film we shot during the lockdown, there were many questions- be it about safety or having just a basic pay at a time when we needed to earn. However, it was my choice and it gave a great boost to my career.' He adds, 'Even before Naadi Dosh (2022), I had always played a lead in films, but I chose to play a parallel lead alongside Yash Soni in this film. People asked why I was doing this, but I really related to the character. That choice again made it one of my most loved roles. Yes, 10 per cent luck is always there, but I feel 90 per cent of my career trajectory has been a result of my choices.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo 'You can't judge the audience's response to a film based on its box office performance' Raunaq believes in 'focusing on the making of the film, rather than thinking about its box office performance.' Does he get Friday jitters? He says, 'I don't focus on whether meri film chalegi ya nahi chalegi. I have had my share of 'nahi chalegi' films (laughs). If I am convinced about my role, the story and the making, the film will be made well. Whether it performs at the box office isn't in our hands. If there is a bigger phenomenon happening on the day of my film's release, it will impact the film, right? I have had several movies that worked fine in theatres but found larger viewership online. Today, you can't judge the audience's response or a film's fate based on its box office performance.' 'We cannot say audiences don't watch our films in theatres anymore' While many filmmakers say that adequate audience support is still lacking for Gujarati films, Raunaq feels, 'The audience appetite has reduced because of the massive pool of options they have. The audience isn't stupid, they are clear about what they want to watch. Even many Bollywood films with big names aren't doing well because the writing and storytelling aren't convincing enough.' He adds, 'This year, some great Gujarati movies have hit the theatres and apart from getting critical acclaim, they have earned good money. So, if the content is good, audiences are willing to give Gujarati films a chance over Hindi films. We can't say that they don't watch our films in theatres.' After starring in Happy Family: Conditions Apply, ask Raunaq if he is willing to work more in national projects, and he says, "If I'm offered a good script, I will take up another national project. However, the casting process has changed. Every region has great actors and if one needs a Bengali character, usually a Bengali actor is approached. If I have to play only Gujarati characters in Hindi projects, I might as well explore other genres in Gujarat. " Now that he has completed a decade in the industry, does he want to do certain kind of roles now? Raunaq says, "While I am open to doing all kinds of roles, now I want to go beyond the boy-next-door characters. I am glad that the makers and audiences still give me the chance to play young characters, but I want to play more mature roles, preferably grey or completely negative characters."
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Rajkummar Rao fired his cook for disrespecting Patralekhaa even though he made incredible Mexican food: ‘Apna bag pack kijiye'
Actor Rajkummar Rao appeared on comedian Raunaq Rajani's YouTube comedy show, where he was joined on the panel by comedians Abish Mathew and Urooj Ashfaq. During the episode, Raunaq confessed that his cook of five years disrespects his wife, but he hasn't had the courage to fire him. Rajkummar took the opportunity to tell the crowd his own story involving a disrespectful cook. He said that he didn't think twice before firing him, because he was disrespectful towards his wife, Patralekhaa. Raunaq said that his cook isn't overtly mean towards his wife, but he doesn't pay much attention to her. Sometimes, his attitude borders on disrespect, because he seems to see through her and talks only to him. Rajkummar said, 'I'll tell you an example from our house, and guys, see the difference. We had a cook, he must've been around 50. A great cook! For the first time in my life, I was getting vegetarian Mexican food. Otherwise it would just be some hari sabzi and rice.' Also read – Patralekhaa admits being reduced to the label of just Rajkummar Rao's wife, says 'Sometimes people bring scripts to me so that they can cast Raj in them' He continued, 'He made a great Mexican platter for me, and after two days, Patra told me, 'Listen, this guy doesn't talk nicely to me. I think there's some issue'. And I could figure out. On the third day, when Patra asked him something, he made a face. But with me, he'd talk with a lot of respect. You know what I did? I called him and said, 'Aap apna bag pack kijiye aur chale jaiye'.' The crowd applauded Rajkummar for taking a stand for his wife, while Raunaq joked, 'If my cook is inherently sexist, I'm not going to just let him go, because we get food in the house. It's not my job to fix him. I must tell you, my wife also likes his food, she just doesn't like his behaviour.' Rajkummar expressed solidarity for Raunaq's wife, and said that he wishes he could talk to her. The rest of the panel and most of the crowd agreed that the cook should be fired. Rajkummar is currently promoting his wedding-themed film Bhool Chuk Maaf, which also features Wamiqa Gabbi. The movie debuted in theatres for a two-week run, after which it'll be released on Prime Video.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tea isn't just a beverage, it's an emotion for me: Raunaq Kamdar
Raunaq Kamdar Raunaq Kamdar Raunaq Kamdar Raunaq Kamdar Raunaq Kamdar 1 2 My morning has to start with a good cup of chai,' says Raunaq Kamdar . On International Tea Day , the actor tells us, 'I was always fond of tea, but it became a part of my routine when I was studying architecture in college. I would work on projects for long hours, and chai became my 'pick me up' beverage. Today, starting my day with proper tea is a must. Agar pehli chai achchi nahi bani, toh hum phir se banate hain. Agar subah ki chai achchi nahi hai, toh din achcha nahi jaata hai (laughs)!' 'Kadak adrak-pudina wali chai is my favourite' Raunaq says, 'Tea has always been an essential part of our household.' He adds, 'Having tea together in the morning, either at the dining area or our parents' room, is a very important part of our daily lives. We discuss the day ahead, schedules, and even plans like movie outings or dining out. In the afternoon, around 4-4.30pm is our teatime, and those who are home have tea and snacks. For us, tea is more than a beverage; it is an emotion. ' Asked about his favourites, he shares, 'It has to be the kadak adrak-pudina wali chai. Sometimes, we put ginger and home-grown lemon grass, or ginger and mint, basically never just simple chai. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo I am very passionate about chai, toh hum chai sirf peene ke liye nahi peete, pura planning chalta hai, about aaj chai kaisi banegi (smiles).' 'We discuss a lot of things during tea breaks' For Raunaq, small tea breaks help him 'bond with people better than anything else.' He says, 'When we go for shoots, the first thing we're offered is a cup of tea, as the team sits and discusses what the shoot is going to be like. Even between takes, whenever there is a break, people get together and have chai, just like other workplaces have tea breaks. My dad, brother and I work together, and we enjoy a small tea break. One gets to discuss so many things there, be it work or random topics. ' He adds, 'When there are movie premieres, we (industry friends) gather at a café near SG Highway and discuss films, the project we are working on and more. We even spill some truth bombs, tea has that power (laughs). Tea breaks help you bond like nothing else.' Talking about the tea experiments , Raunaq says, "I am open to decent experiments when it comes to tea, but not something that is done only to become viral. I had a good tea-flavoured ice cream, paired with sea salt khakhra. I liked it because this experiment didn't really change the flavour." His fave chai pairings? He says, "I love having my chai with crispy rusk toast. I also enjoy having it with poha, upma, khakhra and moong, khichu and the obvious pairing of fafda and ganthiya." Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
