Rajkummar Rao Discusses His Choice for Content-Driven Films Over Big Budgets

Rajkummar Rao's new film 'Toaster' has debuted on Netflix, receiving mixed reviews. In an exclusive interview, he discusses his preference for content-driven projects over high-budget films, emphasizing the importance of storytelling. He shares insights on the success of films like 'Stree' and highlights the risks associated with big-budget projects. Sanya Malhotra supports his views, reinforcing that a compelling story is crucial for a film's success. Discover more about their perspectives and the film's details in this engaging article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 16, 2026, 00:43 IST

Rajkummar Rao's New Film 'Toaster' Released on Netflix

Rajkummar Rao's latest movie, Toaster, premiered on Netflix on April 15. The film features notable performances from Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, and Abhishek Banerjee. Since its release, 'Toaster' has garnered a mix of positive and mixed reviews from audiences. Prior to the film's debut, the cast engaged in an exclusive conversation where they shared insights about their experiences in the industry, personal struggles, and more. Rajkummar Rao specifically revealed his reasons for declining several high-budget film offers.

Rajkummar Rao's Perspective on Big Budget Films

Rajkummar Rao On Saying NO To Big Budget Projects

In a candid discussion, Rajkummar explained his preference for content-driven films over big-budget projects. He stated, “Honestly, it is not about the budget. I have been offered big-budget films, but if the story is not there, budget doesn't matter. It's the story and content that matter. When we did the first part of Stree, the budget was peanuts. It was nothing. But now, look what that film did.” He highlighted the success of 'Stree' as an example, noting that the sequel had a larger budget but the story remained the core of its success.

Rajkummar also referenced the Hollywood film 'Paranormal Activity', which was made on a mere $60,000 and achieved remarkable box office success. He emphasized that the film's success is not solely dependent on its budget.

Sanya Malhotra echoed Rajkummar's sentiments, asserting that the story is the true hero of any film. She remarked, “When a film does good, none of that matters. Your story is the hero at the end of the day. You can make anything work with your performance and hard work.” Rajkummar reiterated his stance on avoiding high-budget films if the story does not resonate with him, stating, “Today if I agree to do a Rs 350 crore budget and it doesn’t work, I will get blamed for it. I don't have any backup here. It's such a major risk. The story decides the budget.”

Overview of 'Toaster'

About Toaster

'Toaster', directed by Vivek Daschaudary, also features a talented ensemble cast including Upendra Limaye, Farah Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Vinod Rawat, Karmveer Choudhary, and Seema Pahwa in significant roles.