‘Cinema Bandi put me on the map; Keedaa Cola sealed my identity' Rag Mayur
From being a studious state-ranker and earning a master's degree in the US to building a tech career, Rag Mayur left it all behind to follow his dream of acting. Best known for his roles in Cinema Bandi and Keedaa Cola, he's now juggling a musical biopic, a comedy entertainer, and the upcoming film Paradha and TV series The Family Man 3.
'Life's been quite full lately, with multiple projects in the works — and there's no slowing down,' he says.
'Growing up, movies were my only escape'
Born and raised near RTC Crossroads, which he calls 'the Mecca of Telugu cinema,' Mayur's love for films began early. 'My parents were humble clerks. Dad worked with the Handicapped Welfare Department and mom was a typist with TSRTC. We couldn't afford family vacations, so movies became my only escape.
I was obsessed with Shah Rukh Khan. I'd try to mimic him, dress like him,' he says with a laugh.
'Everything changed after my short film went viral'
But acting, for Rag Mayur, was never the plan. 'I topped my boards, got a state rank of 755 in EAMCET, and enrolled in Osmania University for a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering. After a stint in the US for a master's degree at the University of Delaware, I returned to work in Bengaluru. But the film bug was always there,' he says.
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His entry into films came after years of making short films, acting in theatre, and going to countless auditions.
'A short film of mine, Raama Kanavemira, went viral in 2016. That gave me direction,' he recalls.
'Working in Keeda Cola was a turning point'
What followed was a slow but steady climb, and his big break came with Cinema Bandi. 'It was shot in 2019 and released in 2021 on OTT. Overnight, people started recognising me.'
After that, he had roles in Modern Love Hyderabad and Gandhi Tatha Chettu, but it was Keedaa Cola with Tharun Bhascker that gave him real recognition in theaters. 'I got called, and it was surreal. The trailer alone led to offers like Paradha and Sivarapalli.
'
'Working with Manoj Bajpayee was a surreal experience'
Just as his Telugu film career was picking up momentum, a chance came his way to step into Bollywood. 'One day, DK called me and asked if I'd be interested in playing a small role in The Family Man Season 3.
I jumped with joy. For someone shaped by Hindi cinema, it felt like taking baby steps into a world that first sparked my love for movies.' he says. The real treat, however, came on set, sharing screen space with Manoj Bajpayee.
'I was obviously starstruck.' After the shoot, Mayur was stunned when Manoj praised his performance to DK, complimenting the nuances he brought to the role. 'I was in a trance. Later, I even asked him for an autograph. That's probably the most treasured validation of my journey so far.'
-Paul Nicodemus
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