Actor Rajkummar Rao, who is gearing up for the release of his dark comedy thriller Monica, O My Darling on Netflix, believes that the 2017 film Bareilly Ki Barfi changed the actor’s image from a “serious guy” to someone who can make the audience laugh with his comedy.

“I got the tag of a serious guy because I was doing some serious films. But Bareilly Ki Barfi changed that for me. I didn’t even realise while doing the film that it is going to be such a revelation for the audience. I was doing it with utmost sincerity. I was doing it as a comedy. I was just reacting as my character would. I realised after Bareilly Ki Barfi that I enjoy doing comedies,” Rajkummar said at the trailer launch of Monica, O My Darling, set to stream from November 11.

Before Bareilly Ki Barfi, Rajkummar essayed serious characters in films like Shahid, Citylights, Aligarh and Trapped.

Rajkummar recalled how filmmaker Raj Nidimoru spotted the funny side in his performances. When Nidimoru went to Rao’s house to narrate the story of Stree, the actor asked why Nidimoru thought he was fit for the role. Quoting Nidimoru, Rajkummar said, “You know Raj, there’s humour in your performance. Even when I see Shahid, there are moments when I see that it’s funny. It is very much in detail but I think your timing is very unique. So, I think you’ll be the best guy for the film.”

“While filming Badhaai Do, I realised that I want to do films that I will be proud of. Because you don’t know what will happen at the box office. So, at least make films that give you respect and films that you’re happy to be a part of,” he said.

Rajkummar will be soon seen in Raj & DK’s Netflix series Guns and Gulabs, and feature films such as Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed, Sharan Sharma’s Mr and Mrs Mahi.