Rajkummar Rao, a longtime admirer of Shah Rukh Khan, recently shared his perspective on building a brand identity similar to that of the iconic actor. During a conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Rao was asked about the association of top stars with specific qualities, such as Shah Rukh Khan being synonymous with love. When asked what he would like to be associated with, Rao admitted he hadn’t given it much thought but emphasized that he doesn’t want to fall into that trap.

Rao explained that he prefers not to be confined by the expectations of a brand. “I’m an actor, not a brand. My job is to be a chameleon and to transform myself for different roles,” he said. Rao believes that acting is an art form, and he views himself as an artist rather than a product. He stressed the importance of maintaining authenticity in his craft, stating, “If acting is an art, why should I turn myself into a brand? I’m not a product; I’m a human being who experiences and expresses emotions. It’s an internal process.”

The 39-year-old actor emphasized that he doesn’t want to see himself as a product or brand but purely as an artist who creates and surprises both his audience and himself. Rao also noted that he doesn’t meticulously plan his future career moves, acknowledging that his approach might not always be the right one. Despite this, he continues to hold Shah Rukh Khan’s wisdom in high regard. In a previous interview with Mashable, Rao recalled advice from Khan, who once told him, “Whenever you buy a house, get one that’s slightly beyond your budget. It’ll push you to work harder to afford it.”

Rajkummar Rao’s latest film, Stree 2, is currently playing in theaters.