Actor Ramandeep Yadav has been receiving widespread appreciation for his portrayal of Rajjo in Raakh. In an exclusive interview with India Today, he spoke about the extensive preparation behind the role, why he focused on criminal psychology rather than the real-life criminals who inspired the story, the year-long process of building the character, and his perspective on being typecast after playing intense roles.
‘I Chose Not to Quit When It Felt Easier’
Reflecting on the positive response to Raakh, Ramandeep revealed that there was a period in his career when he seriously considered giving up.
He said the appreciation feels especially meaningful because it came after a phase when quitting seemed like the easier option. According to him, while people can draw motivation from others' journeys, true inspiration comes from one’s own experiences and struggles.
Ramandeep credited his family for supporting him throughout uncertain times. He shared that despite the challenges of pursuing acting, they never asked him to abandon his dream and remained his strongest source of encouragement.
Why He Avoided Studying the Real Criminals
Although Raakh draws inspiration from real crime, Ramandeep deliberately chose not to closely study or imitate the individuals behind the story.
He explained that the project was not intended as a biographical portrayal and that the script already provided sufficient material. Rather than recreating specific personalities, he wanted to understand the psychology that drives such individuals.
To achieve that, he immersed himself in documentaries and series about serial killers. One particular detail left a lasting impression on him: a killer who believed that his victims should not experience pain during their deaths.
Ramandeep said that this disturbing sense of perceived fragility influenced his approach to Rajjo. He wanted the character to possess a similar unsettling quality while ensuring that his darker side emerged gradually rather than appearing suddenly.
He also wanted to avoid reinforcing stereotypes associated with the Haryanvi dialect. His goal was to ensure audiences did not attribute Rajjo’s behaviour solely to his regional background but instead saw him as a complex individual.
During his preparation, he watched several crime-related documentaries and shows, including The Ripper and The Girl in the Window, while also exploring broader themes of criminal psychology.
The Eyes That Defined Rajjo
While he avoided mimicking the real-life figures connected to the story, Ramandeep admitted that one aspect of their appearance had a profound impact on him.
He said the photographs of the men revealed haunting eyes that stayed with him. He wanted Rajjo’s gaze to create a similar sense of unease, making people instinctively feel that something was off about him even before he spoke.
Creating a Life Beyond the Script
A significant part of Ramandeep’s preparation involved developing details that never appear on screen.
Working alongside acting coaches Nitin Goyal and Shashi, he constructed an elaborate emotional history for Rajjo, including his childhood experiences, personal relationships and formative traumas.
The team imagined the character growing up in a deeply patriarchal environment in Haryana, explored his friendship with Pyare Mohan and even created fictional childhood memories to help ground the performance emotionally.
According to Ramandeep, this unseen backstory was essential because he needed to fully believe in the character’s world and motivations.
Music, Mood Boards and Character Instincts
To internalise Rajjo’s emotional landscape and dialect, Ramandeep curated playlists featuring older Haryanvi folk songs.
He felt contemporary Haryanvi music lacked the rawness he was seeking and preferred sounds that reflected the era and environment of the character.
Drawing on his theatre background, he also assembled a detailed digital mood board. It featured photographs of actors Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan because Rajjo dreams of becoming an actor.
One unusual addition was images of cockroaches, which symbolised the character’s survival instinct during workshops. For Ramandeep, the insect represented resilience and the ability to endure under any circumstances.
The board also included medical and surgical imagery to help him understand the physical and emotional trauma his character may have experienced.
Nearly a Year Dedicated to Rajjo
Ramandeep estimated that Raakh occupied almost an entire year of his life.
Before filming began, he spent around three months in workshops, rehearsals and independent research. Production itself lasted another three months, while dubbing later required him to revisit emotions he had originally experienced on set.
He described this process as particularly challenging, noting that recreating genuine emotions months after filming is never easy.
Fortunately, much of the series retained sync sound, reducing the amount of dubbing required. According to him, authentic emotions captured during filming are difficult to replicate later.
For Ramandeep, Raakh became far more than a professional assignment. It was an exercise in patience, persistence and deep psychological preparation that demanded sustained commitment long before audiences finally saw the finished performance.
‘Breaking the Box Is an Actor’s Responsibility’
Despite portraying another intense character, Ramandeep said he is not concerned about being typecast.
He pointed out that after CAT, he played a much lighter character named Saba, demonstrating his ability to move between different roles. Even if he continues to portray characters from similar worlds, he believes each one should bring something fresh and distinct.
He cited actors such as Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as inspirations, noting how they have repeatedly played characters within familiar spaces while ensuring every performance feels unique.
Ramandeep acknowledged that the industry often categorises actors, but he believes it is ultimately the performer's responsibility to challenge those labels and continuously redefine audience expectations.
Choosing Meaningful Roles Over Screen Time
Ramandeep also emphasised that he is not interested in roles solely for visibility.
He said he is willing to take on similar characters in the future, but only if they are integral to the story. If a character can be removed without affecting the narrative, he sees little value in playing that role.
For him, the priority is portraying characters that leave a lasting impression and contribute meaningfully to the story being told.
The actor added that the affection he is receiving from audiences comes with a sense of responsibility. Referencing the famous Spider-Man quote, he said that greater recognition also means a greater obligation to continue delivering quality work.
