I want to break my boy-next-door image & play grey characters: 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.”

‘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."