"Effortless humour works best," says actor Rajkummar Rao ahead of 'Toaster' release

"Effortless" humour resonates most with audiences, says actor Rajkummar Rao, who detailed his approach to comedy ahead of the April 15 release of the upcoming Netflix film 'Toaster'

Headlined by Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, the dark comedy has been directed by Vivek Daschaudary and produced by Rao and his actor wife Patralekhaa under Kampa Films.

'Toaster' revolves around Ramakant, essayed by Rao, a man whose extreme frugality leads to a series of chaotic and humorous events. It also stars Sanya Malhotra, Abhishek Banerjee, Archana Puran Singh, Farah Khan, Jitendra Joshi and Upendra Limaye in pivotal roles.

"It has to be right on paper," Rao tells ANI, emphasising that comedy is deeply rooted in writing and authenticity. "And then, of course, actors come and at least do that much... The more effortless it is, the more natural it is," he said.

Elements like editing and sound design also play a crucial role in enhancing humour, says the actor famed for balancing intense dramas with lighter roles in films like 'Bareilly Ki Barfi', 'Ludo', and 'Stree'. While being naturally inclined towards serious roles the actor says he enjoys switching to comedy for relief.

"My favorite genre is always drama... dramas tire you emotionally and physically. Then I feel like I should do a comedy, a light one," says Rao.

The actor also spoke about working closely with his wife as a producer on the project. "We have spent a lot because my wife is a producer... bahut dildaar hai. And since we have been actors ourselves, we know exactly what all problems come up on set," he says, adding, "Of course, we both look after the expenses at home... but in life, we both are not stingy... Patra is way more sharper with money than I am."

Co-star Abhishek Banerjee highlights the effort behind performance preparation, especially for intense roles. Recalling his experience of playing Hathoda Tyagi in 'Paatal Lok', he says, "It happened on that shoot. I didn't talk to anyone for the first three days," noting that he later created a trigger mechanism using music, "The minute that music piece plays in my head, I'm basically that character."

Meanwhile, Archana Puran Singh reflected on the challenges of comedy, particularly when scripts fall short. "Till the script is not good... you have to overcompensate. You do something funny," she says adding that she enjoys finding humour in everyday situations. "I enjoy doing any kind of comedy... everything in real life has some humor element... even a simple fall can be the funniest thing in this world."

Sanya Malhotra, who is part of the film, reflected on her acting journey and training, saying, "I didn't take training... I did workshops after 'Dangal'... I'm learning while working." She also expressed interest in a dance-based film, adding, "Of course. Please cast me."

Netflix dropped the official trailer of 'Toaster,' offering a glimpse into a chaotic narrative where frugality spirals into absurdity. In the trailer Rao is introduced as a meticulous and uncompromising Ramakant, a self-proclaimed "kanjoos" who believes every rupee saved is a victory. The story kicks off with a seemingly trivial incident, Ramakant gifting a toaster at a wedding. However, when the wedding is abruptly called off, his fixation on retrieving the appliance triggers a chain of increasingly complicated and chaotic events. What begins as a simple mission soon escalates into a series of messy situations, pulling in everyone around him.

The film blends dark humour with situational chaos, leaning heavily on its ensemble cast, which includes Archana Puran Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Farah Khan, Upendra Limaye, Vinod Rawat, Jitendra Joshi, and Seema Pahwa. Each character contributes to the film's escalating confusion, adding layers to its fast-paced narrative.

With a screenplay by Parveez Shaikh, Akshat Ghildial, and Anagh Mukerjee, Toaster promises a sharp, character-driven narrative where a minor obsession leads to major consequences.