Patralekhaa and Rajkummar Rao share a love story that stands out in the Bollywood world. Their relationship is built on deep affection, who rarely argue with each other, which is a rarity in the film industry. After dating for nearly a decade, they tied the knot in 2021 and their journey together has only strengthened their bond. In a recent podcast, Patralekhaa shares her thoughts, saying that Raj is a “true feminist” who genuinely believes in equality and can’t get enough of her.
In her first podcast appearance, Patralekhaa sat down with Karishma Mehta on the Humans of Bombay platform. She reflected on her career, starting with her debut in City Lights (2014) and falling in love with Rajkummar. However, she faced challenges in getting roles after her debut, often being labeled as “Rajkummar Rao’s girlfriend” but not as an actress. Patralekhaa opens up about this struggle, expressing how hard it has been to navigate her identity in the industry.
She shared that Rajkummar once mentioned on the same show that he is ‘Patralekhaa’s husband’. While talking about the tag, Patralekhaa felt frustrated by being referred to mainly as the actor’s girlfriend. “That was another challenge I had to fight,” she said. But she proudly states, “Now I’m Rajkummar’s wife”. However, she insists that her identity is more than just being linked to him. “I used to feel pretty offended because I am a human being, I am somebody’s daughter and I’m not just only somebody’s girlfriend,” she explains.
Patralekhaa goes on to reveal how she confronted these labels. “At some point, I just became his girlfriend,” she said, “but I realized these tags are not going to define who I am. People will not know me just because I’m his wife or girlfriend. I am more than that!” She emphasizes, “I’m sure Raj is going to be happy if I make something out of myself.”
In her heartfelt moments, she describes Raj as a “true feminist”. She shares an emotional anecdote from their wedding day when he insisted on applying sindoor to his hair parting, a gesture traditionally reserved for women in Hindu weddings. Patralekhaa reflects, “My god, I really lucked out,” feeling fortunate to have such a supportive partner.
In the same interview, Patralekhaa also discussed her struggles and how she is carving out her space in the film industry. Her latest project, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, received critical acclaim. Looking forward, she has multiple projects lined up, including the film Phule, where she portrays the legendary Savitribai Phule. Additionally, she will star in a web series produced by Raj & DK titled Gulkanda Tales, alongside talented actors like Kunal Khemu and Pankaj Tripathi. It’s palpable, Patralekhaa is surely proving she is more than just Rajkummar’s girlfriend or wife; she is making a name for herself in Bollywood.
Patralekhaa says she is determined to break free from any labels attached to her, focusing on her own identity and career. With her passion and dedication, she continues to shine and inspire others in the industry.
