Entertainment
‘I wanted Rajjo’s eyes to make people uncomfortable…’: Raakh star Ramandeep Yadav reveals the chilling preparation behind his performance
From studying criminal psychology to creating an unseen backstory and emotional mood boards, Ramandeep Yadav says playing Rajjo in Raakh became one of the most demanding journeys of his career.
Actor Ramandeep Yadav is receiving widespread appreciation for his intense portrayal of Rajjo in the crime thriller Raakh. While audiences have praised the character’s haunting screen presence, the actor has now revealed the extraordinary amount of preparation that went into bringing the role to life.
In a recent interview, Ramandeep shared that the journey wasn’t just about acting—it was a year-long process of psychological research, emotional immersion, and personal resilience.
‘There was a time I almost gave up’
Reflecting on his career, Ramandeep admitted that success didn’t come easily. He revealed that there was a phase when he seriously considered giving up on acting, but his family’s unwavering support helped him stay focused.
According to the actor, true inspiration doesn’t come from someone else’s success story. Instead, he believes the most powerful motivation comes from one’s own struggles and experiences.
He also credited his family for never asking him to abandon his dreams despite the uncertainty that often comes with pursuing an acting career.
Why he avoided studying the real criminals
Although Raakh is inspired by true crime, Ramandeep deliberately chose not to closely study the real-life people connected to the story.
He explained that the series was not a biographical recreation, and copying the mannerisms of actual criminals would have limited his creative process. Instead, he focused on understanding the psychology behind violent behaviour.
The actor spent months watching documentaries and crime series about serial killers to understand their mindset rather than imitate any one individual.
One observation particularly stayed with him—a serial killer who believed his victims should not experience pain during their final moments. Ramandeep said that disturbing perspective helped shape Rajjo’s unsettling emotional detachment.
The mystery behind Rajjo’s haunting eyes
Among the many elements of his performance, Ramandeep wanted one feature to leave the strongest impression—his eyes.
After seeing photographs related to the real case, he became fascinated by the expressionless and unsettling gaze of the individuals involved. He wanted audiences to feel the same discomfort whenever Rajjo appeared on screen.
His goal, he explained, was to make viewers instinctively sense that something wasn’t right, even before the character spoke.
Building a life the audience never sees
One of the most unique aspects of Ramandeep’s preparation was creating an elaborate backstory that never actually appears in the series.
Working alongside acting coaches, he developed Rajjo’s childhood, emotional trauma, family dynamics, and friendships in great detail. This unseen history helped him understand every decision the character makes throughout the story.
The team imagined Rajjo growing up in a patriarchal household in Haryana, explored his bond with Pyare Mohan, and even created fictional childhood memories to strengthen the emotional foundation of the performance.
Music, mood boards and unexpected inspirations
Ramandeep’s preparation extended far beyond script readings.
To perfect the character’s dialect and emotional rhythm, he curated playlists of traditional Haryanvi folk music, choosing older songs that captured the raw atmosphere of the era rather than modern commercial tracks.
Drawing from his theatre background, he also built a detailed digital mood board filled with references that helped shape Rajjo’s personality.
The collection included photographs of legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna, reflecting Rajjo’s dream of becoming an actor. Surprisingly, it also featured images of cockroaches, which Ramandeep associated with the character’s survival instinct.
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He even studied medical and surgical images to better understand the physical trauma his character may have endured before the events shown in the series.
Months of preparation beyond the camera
The actor estimated that Raakh occupied nearly an entire year of his life.
Around three months were dedicated to workshops, rehearsals and personal research before filming even began. Another three months went into shooting, while the dubbing process required him to emotionally revisit scenes months after they had been filmed.
Ramandeep admitted that recreating the same emotional intensity during dubbing was one of the toughest aspects of the project. Fortunately, much of the series retained its original sync sound, reducing the need for extensive voice recording later.
Not afraid of being typecast
Despite playing several serious characters, Ramandeep said he is not worried about being labelled as an actor suited only for intense roles.
He believes every performer eventually faces typecasting, but considers it the actor’s responsibility to challenge those perceptions with every new project.
Looking up to acclaimed performers such as Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Ramandeep said he admires how they have repeatedly portrayed similar genres while ensuring every performance feels fresh and unique.
For him, meaningful storytelling matters far more than screen time.
The actor concluded by saying he only wants to play characters that genuinely contribute to the narrative and leave a lasting impact on audiences. As appreciation for Raakh continues to grow, Ramandeep believes the recognition also brings greater responsibility to consistently deliver memorable performances.
