Media Release
Mangaluru, May 27: Born in Abu Dhabi to Mangalurean parents, Raaj Rao, an alumnus of Nitte Engineering College, Mangaluru, is now an international multi-award winning actor, director and producer.
His latest short film, Calling, which was filmed in 12 hours, has taken the international short film festival circuit by storm, securing 14 major awards across 5 countries in just 5 weeks.
A Meteoric Rise
Written and directed by Raaj, Calling is a psychological drama, inspired by his personal experiences, has captivated audiences and judges alike, winning accolades such as:
Best Director in India
Best International Short Film in India, the US, the UK, and Malaysia
Best Actress in India, Sweden, and Malaysia
Best Editing in India and Malaysia
Best Trailer in Malaysia and many more.
Watch 'Calling' trailer:
‘Calling’ recently dominated the Uruvatti International Film Festival in Chennai with five major awards and is a finalist in three categories at the World Film Festival Cannes. "I want this film to resonate with my audience and remind them that they are not alone," Raaj shared, turning a simple story into an award-winning masterpiece.
No stranger to the international short film world, Raaj's earlier films have made significant waves. ‘Magnificent Man’, which he both acted in and produced, garnered 19 nominations globally and was screened at Comic Con. His other works, ‘Timing’ and ‘Work in Progress’, earned a combined total of three nominations and one award.
Filmography
With over 200 projects spanning Hollywood, Bollywood, short films, TV, theatre, and social media, Raaj's portfolio is impressive. His notable works include a parallel lead role in the upcoming Hindi feature The Buk, a feature role as a villain in Nagarjuna’s The Ghost, streaming on Netflix, and appearances in high-profile commercials with Hrithik Roshan, Mahesh Babu, and Shahrukh Khan. He also stars in R Madhavan’s upcoming film Amriki Pandit.
Raaj has collaborated with esteemed film schools like New York University Abu Dhabi and SAE Institute Dubai as an acting coach and actor in multiple short films.
Despite a background in engineering and working on oil rigs, Raaj's passion for acting was undeniable. Dreaming of the silver screen since the age of eight, he trained under Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher at the prestigious Actor Prepares Institute in Mumbai.
A Multi-Talented Maestro
Beyond acting, Raaj ventured into directing during the pandemic, crafting award-winning short films with his unique storytelling style. He is also a renowned bilingual voice artiste, lending his voice to radio promos, Bollywood films, award shows, and television ads for brands like Ariel, HP, Brooke Bond Red Label, Coca-Cola, Garnier, and Huawei. Notably, he was the voice of the Expo 2020 mascot in the official animation film.
A trained dancer by the Mangalore Excellent Dance Academy and Shiamak Dawar in the UAE, Raaj competed in inter-college competitions and represented the UAE in Dance India Dance Season 2. As a martial artiste, he is one of the UAE’s prominent fight choreographers, acting coaches, and action directors for feature and short films.
Engaging with the Audience
Raaj has hosted TV game shows for online channels and numerous high-profile events in theUAE, including the Ramadan Street Food Festival. He is a frequent podcast guest, discussingfilmmaking, directing, and acting, sharing his wealth of knowledge with aspiring filmmakers.
Raaj Rao's ascent from UAE to international acclaim is a testament to his unwavering dedication to cinematic excellence. His journey is not merely one of personal triumph but a shining beacon of inspiration for aspiring artists around the globe.
Renowned for his powerful storytelling and a remarkable track record of leading his actresses to award-winning performances, Raaj Rao is a formidable talent destined to leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema, as both an actor and director.