Once he had only Rs 18 in his bank account and survived on biscuits. Today he is a well-known actor with a film that earned over Rs 874 crore globally

Rajkummar Rao began his cinematic career with Dibakar Banerjee’s film Love Sex aur Dhokha in 2010, marking the first step in what would later become a highly respected journey in Indian cinema. Over the years, he steadily built a reputation as one of the finest performers of his generation. Yet, long before recognition and success came his way, his early days in Mumbai were marked by intense financial difficulties and constant uncertainty.

In a 2024 conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia, the actor reflected on the harsh realities he faced while trying to establish himself. He spoke about periods when work was scarce and money was extremely limited. During those days, survival often meant cutting down on even basic necessities. He recalled surviving on the simplest of meals, sometimes skipping proper lunches altogether and relying instead on inexpensive items like Parle-G biscuits and Frooti to get through the day. He also remembered a particularly difficult moment when his bank balance had dwindled to just eighteen rupees, highlighting how precarious his situation had become while living in an expensive city like Mumbai.

Despite these hardships, Rao managed to persist, largely due to the support of his family. His mother, in particular, played a crucial role in helping him navigate those struggling years, often arranging financial help whenever he ran out of money. He lived modestly with two others in a shared apartment and carefully managed his daily expenses, ensuring he spent as little as possible just to sustain himself.


During this challenging phase, his peers from the Film and Television Institute of India also proved to be an important support system. The close-knit community of students and alumni in Mumbai often helped one another in times of need. Rao explained how he could reach out to fellow members, asking about their dinner plans and joining them when he could not afford a meal himself.

His determination to pursue acting had begun even earlier, during his time in Delhi. After completing school, he enrolled at the Sri Ram Centre to formally train as an actor. At just eighteen, he was already committed to his craft. In an effort to save money, he later enrolled in college to obtain a bus pass, but before discovering this option, he would travel long distances on a bicycle to attend classes. His daily commute often stretched to around seventy kilometres each way, during which he kept himself motivated by listening to songs like Papa Kehte Hain on his Walkman, turning the exhausting journey into something memorable and enjoyable.

Today, Rajkummar Rao stands as a prominent figure in Bollywood, with several successful films to his credit. One of his films, Stree 2, achieved massive global earnings exceeding ₹874 crore. According to a Pinkvilla report, his net worth is estimated to be around ₹81 crore, and he now commands a fee of approximately ₹5–6 crore per film, a remarkable transformation from his days of struggle.