Rajkummar Rao express Stree 2’s success is ‘overwhelming’, reveals he began shooting for Malik three days after the horror comedy’s release

Actor Rajkummar Rao has reacted for the first time to the phenomenal success of his film Stree 2. The film also stars Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee and Aparshakti Khurana in pivotal roles.
At the trailer launch event of his upcoming film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, Rajkummar shared that he is feeling overwhelmed with the love he has received after Stree 2. The horror comedy film directed by Amar Kaushik has grossed Rs 536 crore in India so far.
Expressing his gratitude to the audience for making Stree 2 a hit, Rajkummar Rao said, “We are all very happy that Stree 2 has done so well. With such huge (box office) numbers, it proves that a lot of people watched it. I thank them for their love. I have received a lot of love from the audience. I have received a lot of congratulatory messages and calls.”
He said, “I was emotionally overwhelmed when people told me that it was like a personal victory for them. Many people said that they felt that ‘it is our victory, it is not just your victory’. Many of them related their journey to mine and said that my journey gives them hope. It was very overwhelming for me.”
Rajkummar Rao also revealed that he began shooting for his action film Malik just three days after Stree 2 released in theatres.
He said, “Nothing has changed for me from then to now. I am still the same person. Three days after the film released, I went to shoot for Maalik. I love what I do and that will never change. Whether my film makes Rs 500 crore, Rs 5,000 crore or Rs 100 crore, it doesn’t change (anything) for me. That is the fate of the film. You have to do your work honestly. That is what I have done from the beginning, from my first film till now and I will continue to do the same.”
Rajkummar’s Vicky Kaushal Ki Woh Wali video is his fourth release this year after Shrikant, Mr and Mrs Mahi and Stree 2. When asked if he is now eyeing Akshay Kumar’s record of doing back-to-back films, Rajkummar simply said that it is not the case and he has grown up watching Akshay’s work.
He said, “I have learnt a lot from Akshay sir. He is one of those actors whose films I have seen and learnt a lot from. He is a superstar. You don’t compete with him, you love him. I am his fan. All these guys – Shah Rukh (Khan) sir, Salman (Khan) sir, Aamir (Khan) sir, Hrithik (Roshan), Akshay (Kumar) sir, we have seen them on the big screen and learnt a lot from them. They will always be my superstars. I will always respect them.”
Rajkummar said, “In fact even today I am so middle class that if Akshay sir calls me, I jump with joy, show people the phone screen that he is calling and then answer his call. It is hard for me to believe that I am working in the same industry where I work with people whom I have liked all my life. So, the competition you are talking about will never come to my mind.”
Rajkummar Rao and Tripti Dimri’s Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video is all set to release in theatres on October 11. Directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, the film also stars Archana Puran Singh, Tiku Talsania, Rakesh Bedi, Mallika Sherawat.