Rajkummar Rao opens up about being replaced in Bollywood projects; here’s how to deal with such situations

Rajkummar Rao’s recent film ‘Stree 2’ has been winning hearts and minds. But in a recent interview, the actor revealed how it hasn’t been all hunky dory in his Bollywood journey.

In a conversation on The Longest Interview podcast on Audible, the actor shared how he has been replaced in some movies, which led him to feel like a failure.

He recalls, “Ek do baar aisa hua ki mujhe film mili aur phir sab kuch sahi raha, lekin mujhe uss film se hata diya gaya for some reason. Woh mera failure toh nahi unka failure hai ki woh theek se handle nahi kar paaye. Par un cheezon ne mujhe sikhaya ki just be ready…Jab mai baadme dekhta hun toh lagta hai ki shayad sahi tha. Actually mere hisse ka nahi tha yeh – ya toh woh film bani nahi ya kisi aur ne kiya toh uss kirdaar ke baare mein baat nahi hui. Then I feel ki yeh sahi hai, upar wala jab aapke saath hota hai toh apko sahi guide karte rehta hai.” (There were a couple of times when everything was going well, but then I was dropped from the film for some reason. That wasn’t my failure; it was theirs for not handling it properly. Those experiences taught me to always be prepared. Looking back, I realise it might have been for the best—either the film never got made, or the character wasn’t impactful. I believe that when the universe is guiding you, everything falls into place.)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RajKummar Rao (@rajkummar_rao) 

Dr Ashima Ranjan, Consultant Psychiatrist at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, said that experiencing rejection, particularly in a competitive field like acting, can significantly impact one’s self-esteem and mental health.

“It’s crucial to address these feelings constructively. Acknowledge and validate your emotions—feeling disheartened is a natural response, but it’s important not to internalise rejection as a reflection of your worth,” she said in an interaction.

Seeking support from mental health professionals, as well as leaning on friends and family, can provide valuable emotional relief and guidance. On top of that, adopting coping strategies, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques, can help mitigate the impact of stress and foster emotional resilience. Reframing rejection as a learning opportunity rather than a personal failure can shift your perspective and promote growth, Dr Ranjan added. Setting realistic and achievable goals will aid in rebuilding confidence and fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Ultimately, persistence and a positive mindset are key. Each rejection is part of a broader journey and provides a chance for personal and professional development. By integrating these strategies, individuals can navigate the challenges of rejection while maintaining emotional stability and resilience.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.