Patralekhaa Paul is no stranger to acing critically acclaimed performances. From her intense acting debut in CityLights to her recent standout portrayal of Savitribai Phule in Phule, the actress has made a name for herself in the industry for her talent. However, despite being an undeniably talented actress in her own right, she finds herself in the middle of a constant battle regarding the narrative that is set in her name: most people know her for being the wife of renowned Bollywood actor, Rajkummar Rao.
Patralekhaa on being labelled ‘Rajkummar Rao’s wife’
In a refreshingly honest interview with Galatta India, Patralekhaa opened up about a deeply personal struggle that plagues many actor spouses in the entertainment industry, i.e., being overshadowed by their partners’ fame. For the CityLights actress, who is undeniably proud of everything Rajkummar has achieved, it is a struggle to let her presence as an individual talent do the talking due to her partner’s fame. Talking about the tag of just being known as Rajkummar’s wife, Patralekhaa shared:
“I really hate it, just to be called Rajkummar Rao’s wife. I detest it, and I feel very small. Kyunki mera ek naam hai… mera ek astitva hai.”
Patralekhaa and Rajkummar’s cross-cultural love story is built on years of shared struggles in Mumbai, where giving up seemed easier, but they chose resilience, stood by each other, and rose together against all odds. While the glamorous and glitzy showbiz often tends to romanticise power couples in the industry, Patralekhaa reveals a harsher reality. Given her husband’s heightened fame, filmmakers frequently approach Patralekhaa as a shortcut to get Rajkummar to say yes to a project, and this was her reality even before their marriage. She shared:
“Kabhi bhi log mere paas aate hai Raj tak pahuchne ke liye. Mere paas script lekar aate hai… not because they want me… but they want to cast him. Toh aapko samajh aata hai what’s the bait… ki aap Raj ke paas lekar jao… ye film aapki.”
Patralekhaa on the reality of dating or being married to a successful actor
Despite earning praise for her acting over the years, Patralekhaa continues to struggle for recognition on her own terms, often being seen only as the wife of a famous actor. She called this mindset “deeply disrespectful” and “beneath her dignity,” firmly stating that she has always kept her career separate from Rajkummar’s and refuses to be used as a link to him. Her fight for individual identity remains ongoing, as she refuses to settle for simply being known as someone’s wife. Talking about how Rajkummar’s fame often backfires for her, Patralekhaa explained:
“Kyunki aapko lagta hai meri zindagi aasaan ho sakti hai ki mere husband… ya mere tab ke boyfriend… itne famous thay. But it’s never easy if you are trying to establish yourself as an individual, to have your own career graph… it’s very difficult.”
Patralekhaa’s professional front
Patralekhaa made her Bollywood debut with CityLights and has since appeared in films like Badnaam Gali and Nanu Ki Jaanu, as well as web series such as Bose: Dead/Alive and Forbidden Love. Her latest work as ‘Savitribai Phule’ in Phule has earned her significant praise.
What do you think about Patralekhaa’s views on being labelled Rajkummar Rao’s wife in the industry?
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