Audience accepts offbeat subjects, says actor Gajraj Rao

Actor Gajraj Rao has been tackling some delicate but important issues through his films. In the upcoming movie Thai Massage by director Imtiaz Ali, it is erectile dysfunction this time. While many people praise the actor’s script decisions, Rao admits that he frequently is asked to reconsider.

“Some people said, ‘Kyun bana rahe ho yeh sab [films], kahan hota hai aisa?’ But I feel happy to see how there’s acceptance from the larger section of the audience,” he says.

The audience increasingly accepts offbeat subjects, he continues. They may not always agree with or relate to what is depicted in a film, but they nevertheless provide us the freedom to try new things. They are approaching it as though it is a tale that must be told, claims Rao.

The 51-year-old emphasises that although addressing the serious subject that “roughly 20% to 30% of the world population is facing,” this Mangesh Hadawale film is neither didactic nor comedic.

The actor says, “I found out that at least 20 to 30-crore Indians are dealing with it, which is a huge number. Making the situation worse are the misconceptions around it, which have never been cleared due to the lack of discourse around the subject. That’s why it was important to address this issue. And we have done it in a light-hearted way,” says the Badhaai Ho (2018) actor.

Rao notes that the movie has other themes besides erectile dysfunction. It addresses loneliness in old age as well.“When I read the script, the most interesting part was that it’s the story of a lonely 70-year-old who has made sacrifices all his life and is now looking for companionship,” he ends.