Patralekhaa has revealed why she chose not to act in her debut production Toaster, starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra.
Patralekhaa reveals why she chose not to act in her debut production Toaster, starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra.
Rajkummar Rao and his wife Patralekhaa are set to embark on a new cinematic journey as producers with Netflix’s upcoming comedy film, Toaster. While the IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack actress has often shared the screen with her husband, this time she chose to stay behind the scenes, casting Sanya Malhotra opposite Rajkummar instead. In a recent conversation with Hindustan Times, Patralekhaa revealed the real reason for her decision to step away from acting in their debut production.
Patralekhaa shared that her choice was driven by a desire to understand the filmmaking process from a producer’s perspective. “I genuinely wanted to understand how films are made. From the very beginning, I was certain that I wouldn’t act in our first production. I wanted to learn how production works, and with someone as talented as Sanya onboard, I’m glad I made that decision,” she explained.
When asked about working as a producer alongside her husband, Patralekhaa highlighted the strong professional understanding they’ve always shared. According to her, Toaster further reinforced their equation, with Rajkummar being incredibly supportive of her transition into production. “He was encouraging and helped me navigate this new phase with ease,” she added.
For Patralekhaa, production is a natural extension of her love for storytelling. She mentioned that she and Rajkummar have always been passionate about cinema, and through this new role, they aim to champion stories they truly believe in. However, she acknowledged that stepping into production comes with its own set of challenges. “The business side of filmmaking is the toughest part. As an actor, you’re responsible for your performance, but as a producer, you’re responsible for everything—from script development to execution,” she admitted.
Patralekhaa also revealed that her motivation for turning to production stemmed from a desire to create the kind of films she wasn’t offered as an actor. “I wanted to bring stories to life that I’d love to see on screen but wasn’t getting the opportunity to be a part of,” she said.
Toaster, directed by Vivek Das Chaudhary, was officially announced by Netflix in January during a special event hosted by the streaming platform. The star-studded comedy not only features Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra but also boasts an ensemble cast, including Archana Puran Singh, Upendra Limaye, Farah Khan, Abhishek Banerjee, and Seema Pahwa. As the couple ventures into production, Toaster promises to be a light-hearted yet meaningful addition to their growing creative portfolio.
