Newton gives real taste of India: Rajkummar Rao

Overwhelmed at the reception for his latest, ‘Newton’, at the Berlinale, one of the most important events on the film calendar of the world, Rajkummar Rao, who plays the titular role in the film, said, "India is the biggest democracy in the world, and I am sure people are always curious to know how it functions. In that way, 'Newton' is a very Indian film."

The political black comedy, directed by Amit V Masurkar, features Rajkummar as Newton, a rookie clerk on election duty in a conflict-ridden jungle of Chhattisgarh. The character tries his best to conduct free and fair voting despite the apathy of security forces, and the looming fear of an attack by Maoist rebels.

What happens in this pursuit forms the crux of the story. "When I read the script of the film and when I saw some real people acting in it, it took me back to the days of the golden age of Indian cinema, when names like Shyam babu (Shyam Benegal) and Govind Nihalani sir used to make films... You can get the taste of real India," said the actor, who has attended a film fest as big as the Berlinale for the first time.