'Trapped', 'Shahid' and 'Citylights': A look at most underrated Rajkummar Rao films

The narrative centers on the existence of a couple relocated to Mumbai from a small town attempting to build a life. Rajkummar's rendering of a desperate but hopeful migrant is gut-wrenching. The film may never have received the box office returns that it earns, but hopefully, those who had the pleasure of seeing Rajkummar Rao's emotionally charged performance were left weighing on their souls.

In the movie, Rajkummar Rao portrays a controlling and violent husband, his insecurities ultimately wrecking the marriage between him and Vasudha (played by Vidya Balan). After serving time in prison, Rajkummar returns to a different world, while Vasudha is attempting to find herself and build a life for herself and their son. Rajkummar is very convincing in classifying emotions, to the point where we feel empathetic towards a character that, if this was real life, we might want to shove into a nearby wall. Despite a limited amount of screen time, the emotional journey of Rajkummar's character is utterly relatable and shines through with chaotic physical and emotional energy, and well contested nuances.

In this film, Rao plays terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and this is arguably one of his darkest roles. Rao's performance was unsettling, notwithstanding the rough documentary style of the film. Rao allows the audience to both hate and sympathetic of the character to a sometimes extraordinary level. Unfortunately, the film fell off many people's radar.

'Shahid' is an engrossing biopic chronicling the journey of human rights attorney Shahid Azmi. Rao's measured and moving performance won him a National Award, though the film remains woefully underappreciated in popular consideration. It remains one of his finest performances, offering so much nuance, courage, and authenticity.

In 'Trapped', Rajkummar Rao plays a man who finds himself, accidentally, stuck and locked-up in a high-rise apartment with no food, water, or power for days. Trapped is a near one-man show and Rao’s performance is extraordinary. Within all respects, Trapped is among the best studio-produced foreign or neutral audience movies that was relatively unsuccessful at the box office and yet has grown into a cult movie if not critically recognized for an incredible story and Rao’s primal, physical performance.