Films should be celebrated over stars: Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao and Joseph Gordon-Levitt interacted with each other for the spectacular opening session of IFP season 14. He even taught Joseph a hook step from Stree2's dance number Aayi Nai.
The two exchanged notes on what it's like to be an actor and the process needed to approach characters.
Rajkummar shared his thoughts on the importance of recognizing films as a collaborative effort. When asked by a fan about his opinion on 2024 being ‘The Year of Raj,’ he responded saying, “I’m genuinely happy because I want to walk into a theatre and feel inspired by the magic of cinema. It shouldn’t be about any one person or star; it should be the year of films.”
He continued— “We need to celebrate movies as a collective art form. For me, it’s never about chasing the box office—my focus is always on my Art form and giving my absolute best to the work I love.”
It was a treat for the audience to witness insightful exchange between the two about their craft, storytelling, and the unique yet surprisingly similar experiences they've had working in different industries.