Badhaai Ho Trivia: Did You Know This Actor Recommended Gajraj Rao For The Movie?

For Gajraj Rao, Badhaai Ho is no less than a miracle. The actor who has been in the industry for over two decades, and still pursues other interests for financial security, says acting alone is not a lucrative profession unless one is a superstar.

“It’s a miracle, it’s magic,” says Gajraj, not talking about his Badhaai Ho character impregnating his wife at an age when couples cradle their grandchildren.

Gajraj is dumbfounded by the success the film has got him.

“The calls, the messages, friends and strangers alike are calling from all over the country and from outside. I never imagined this film would change my life and career. But it has. It is all destiny,” said the actor, who has been around since 1998.

He doesn’t see his years of struggle as struggle.

“It was not as if acting was my only means of livelihood. I made sure my family didn’t have to suffer the consequences of my passion for acting.”

While pursuing his acting career, Gajraj also dabbled in the business of garment export. He also tried his hand at Hindi journalism for a while. And he owns an ad-making agency Code Red Films.

All these pursuits serve as financial security for Gajraj and his family.

“I firmly believe acting cannot be a lucrative profession unless you are a superstar. That a major role in Badhaai Ho has come so late in my career can only be called destiny.

“I never expected to get a pivotal role like this. It was Ayushmann Khurrana (who plays Gajraj’s son) who recommended me for the role. I can’t thank him enough, and the director Amit Sharma and the writers for writing such an interesting role for an actor who has never done a central part before.”

Reminded of the hard-hitting real-life TV crime drama Bhanwar in which he had played a child rapist, Gajraj recalled his beginnings.

“It isn’t as if Badhaai Ho is the first role I’ve been recognised for. Off and on for films like Black Friday, Yahaan and No Smoking, I was noticed and praised.

“My last screen appearance was in Meghna Gulzar’s Talvar, where I had a brief but interesting role. And my stint in the web series Tech Conversations With Dad for The Viral Fever connected me to the young audience.