MUMBAI: Rajkummar Rao is in one of the most exciting phases of his career right now. With a lineup that’s deliberate, daring, and full of range, he’s showing that versatility isn’t just about switching genres, it’s about evolving your instincts. He has proved time and time again that he is one of the best actor of his generation.
Here’s a look at the projects that define this phase of Rajkummar’s creative reinvention.
Toaster
It is a quirky comedy about a miser (or kanjoos) who becomes obsessed with a toaster that he gave as a wedding gift to a couple, in the middle of a murder and mayhem. This is Rao's fifth collaboration with Netflix as actor after Ludo, Monica, O My Darling, The White Tiger, and Guns & Gulaabs. Produced under the KAMPA Films banner by Rao and his actress wife Patralekhaa, this is Patralekhaa's debut film as a producer. The film also stars Archana Puran Singh, Upendra Limaye, Farah Khan, Abhishek Banerjee, Jitendra Joshi, and Seema Pahwa. Toaster was to be released on Netflix on 19 August 2025 but isn't available on the streaming platform yet.
The Ujjwal Nikam Biopic, Power Meets Purpose
Next up is the Ujjwal Nikam biopic, one of Rajkummar’s most anticipated projects. He plays the celebrated public prosecutor who handled some of India’s most defining criminal cases, from the 1993 Mumbai blasts to the 26/11 trial. After the critical acclaim for his portrayal of Srikanth Bolla, expectations are sky-high. The film, backed by Dinesh Vijan, is being positioned as a prestige drama, one that marries moral complexity with national relevance.
The Shoojit Sircar Collaboration, The Curveball
Rajkummar has also teamed up with director Shoojit Sircar for a yet-untitled film currently in development. He’s described it as something “deeply rooted and emotionally alive,” and if that’s any indication, it’s likely to blend Shoojit’s humanist touch with Rajkummar’s grounded realism. It’s the kind of collaboration that feels inevitable, two storytellers obsessed with nuance, meeting at just the right time.
The Bigger Picture
There’s a clear evolution in Rajkummar’s choices. He’s not chasing box-office highs or festival prestige, he’s building a body of work that sits comfortably between both worlds. Toaster gives him mischief, Nikam gives him authority, and the untitled Shoojit Sircar film promises depth. Together, they mark a phase of complete creative control, one where Rajkummar Rao isn’t running the race anymore. He’s setting his own pace.
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