OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023: Rajkummar Rao wins ‘Pathbreaking Performer of the Year’ title

National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao - who has been receiving rave reviews for his performance in Anubhav Sinha’s recently released film Bheed, the story of which is based on the events during the Covid-induced lockdown in 2020 - has been honoured with the Pathbreaking Performer of the Year title at the prestigious OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023 tonight. The award was presented by Avinash Mudaliar, Co-Founder and CEO, HT Labs. The glittery award ceremony - which took place at JW Marriott (Juhu), Mumbai - was attended by the who’s who of the Indian film fraternity.  

Apart from Bheed - which also starred Bhumi Pednekar, Pankaj Kapur, Ashutosh Rana, Dia Mirza and Kritika Kamra - Rajkummar was also recently seen in Badhaai Do, HIT: The First Case and Monica, O My Darling. In the past, he has acted in noted projects like Shahid, Shaitan, Gangs of Wasseypur 2, Talaash, Kai Po Che!, Dolly Ki Doli, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton, Stree, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, Ludo and Bose: Dead/Alive. 

Also read: Bheed Review: Anubhav Sinha’s film is frightening and heartbreaking to witness, Rajkummar Rao shines

Bheed is a fictional take on what’s considered the country’s largest migration since the Partition. The plot focuses on the 2020 lockdown in India, triggered by the Coronavirus pandemic. The narrative follows how several characters in the film cope with the situation and migrate to a place they feel safe at. Anurag Saikia has composed the film’s music. 

Also read: OTTplay Changemaker Awards 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Guneet Monga, Babil Khan, Rishab Shetty and others win big, here's complete list of winners

The ‘Pathbreaking Performer of the Year’ award is conferred on him in recognition of the remarkable characters that he has played in the past year. The ‘OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023’ intend to honour and celebrate the groundbreakers and trendsetters of the entertainment industry. With Indian cinema on the cusp of remarkable transitions, it’s pertinent to honour and boost the confidence of those young minds that are bringing about the change. It’s the first edition of the awards ceremony.