National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao says 'City Lights' has been the most challenging film of his career

New Delhi: National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao looked comfortable in the scorching Delhi heat on Friday, as he walked into the plush conference room at the Le Meridian on Raisina Road. Dressed in brown chinos, orange loafers and a sheer white-and-pale-blue blazer, Rao's smile was warm, and his walk brisk.

In the city to promote his latest film 'City Lights', Rao talked about the National Award, his working equation with director Hansal Mehta, and the challenges he faced, playing the role of the protagonist Deepak Singh in the film.

"This has been my most challenging role ever," said Rao. He plays the role of a Rajasthani rural trader who migrates to Mumbai in search of a better life and then goes on to face the challenges of an urban culture.

'City Lights' is the official adaptation of the critically-acclaimed British-Filipino crime drama 'Metro Manila', directed by Sean Ellis. The film has been produced by Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films and has been directed by Hansal Mehta, who also won the National Award for the film 'Shahid'. The film also stars new actress Patralekhaa, who is reportedly dating Rao.

Rao, who is a self-imposed non-smoker and non-drinker, broke his rules to perfect a scene in the film. In a clip screened at the event, one can see Rao getting drunk in a dance bar and going home and confronting his wife.

"Since I did not know how people behave when drunk, I decided to gulp down some vodka to make the altercation look real," said Rao, adding that during the course of the scene, he ended up drinking over half a bottle of vodka. "I don't even remember how I shot the scene, since it was the first time I ever drank alcohol," he said, adding that he was thrilled by the result.

To get under the skin of his character Deepak, a small-town family man, Rao spent three weeks in Rajasthan, to perfect the accent, body-language and mannerisms. "He is a decent, hard-working man, who frustrated, almost crippled by life's challenges," he said.

"The one thing that has changed for me after the film is that I have started paying attention to people around me. The people who open doors for us, cook, clean and work for us, have suddenly become very 'real' to me," he said.