Danish Pandor, who plays Uzair Baloch in the film, spoke to iDiva about all things Dhurandhar, working with Aditya Dhar, the love coming his way, and the film's political leaning, among other things.

Read excerpts from the interview.

Danish Pandor on love for Dhurandhar performance, film being called propaganda and more

Danish got candid about all things Dhurandhar, and also revealed what it was like to shoot for the viral football scene, what it's been like with all the love coming his way, what's next for him, etc. Here's all about it.

How's it been for you to soak it all in and everything that everyone's talking about your performance?

I am just taking it as it goes, but it is very humbling. When you work on a project, you just hope that it works and resonates with people, but you really don't know how it will land. Honestly, it actually motivates me to push harder. It's more like a responsibility that you should not disappoint the audience who have given you so much love in the past. But I am truly grateful and overwhelmed, and it is surreal. It is honestly the fruit of hard work.

You have less screen time in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, and everyone did wonder why that is, but is that something you knew or what were your thoughts?

I was quite aware of the script well in advance. I knew what was going to happen, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I got and the character of Uzair Baloch. I can't say anything beyond that. I have no complaints, personally.

As far as the screen time, I had scenes, and they were very impactful. The second part was all about the revenge; it was mainly about Hamza Ali Mazari (and Jaskirat Singh Rangi). He was on a mission and had to fulfil that mission, and the story went on like that. I would never say that, okay, why did I have less screen time? But the thing is, whatever I had was beautiful and very impactful, and people have taken it very beautifully, giving so much love to it. No complaints whatsoever. Just being a part of this humongous project in itself is a big deal for me. I was one of the lucky ones to have a pivotal role in a picture with a big franchise.

Jio Studios

You've always said you want to do meaningful cinema, but it's not something people associate with when it comes to big films like Dhurandhar. What do you as an actor mean when you say meaningful cinema?

For me, Dhurandhar is also meaningful cinema as it is all content-driven. Secondly, as an actor, even though I say that I want to do meaningful cinema, I have to keep all horizons open. I have said it earlier as well that sometimes the supply of actors is just too much, there are too many actors in the market, and there are not too many movies being made. So you have to make your mark and explore all horizons, irrespective of anything.

Honestly, what Dhurandhar has achieved is that it has created a mindset and also motivated a lot of producers to be more content-driven. You can actually rightly put it - movies before Dhurandhar and movies after Dhurandhar. Meaningful cinema, as I perceive it, can be about a character as well. If I am having a significant role or an impactful role, and if I have something concrete to do and can portray quality, justifiable work, that is something I look for.

The film has been called many things, including a 'propaganda'. As an actor, what are your thoughts on how much of your involvement in such films is just about looking like a character, or do you ever think about it too?

If you take cinema in perspective, it's always about interpretation. A movie is about telling a story from a particular lens. It is not about a political leaning or pushing an agenda. I mean, the audience is intelligent; they can engage and take away what resonates with them. As far as political leaning is concerned, interpretation can go to any extent; it is a very subjective thing. It is more like a narrative rooted in a certain perspective, like most films are. People would discuss about it, people won't discuss about it, it varies from person to person; to each their own.

Bollywood has always struggled with the idea of 'hero complex'. Do you think that's changing?

In this case, it is gradually changing. If you're talking about Dhurandhar, the narrative is constantly changing. In this case, everyone had a certain role to play. It is everything put together and then pushing the movie as one, instead of concentrating on one thing, making a narrative, and then pushing it forward.

With the gory scenes, it is all story-related; it is coming for a purpose, it has an intent. It's not there just to show violence or prove a point. Secondly, we actors always get our time to adapt to it, to internalise the entire situation and react to it. With workshops and brainstorming sessions, you get well-versed in it. At the same time, when you get so engrossed in the character and the situation, it becomes very technical and adaptive, that all these things become an external factors because you are taking care of a lot at the same time in that very situation - you amalgamate so many things that 'that' just becomes a part of it and doesn't hamper you so much. For an actor, it becomes like a make-or-break situation. You have to get on it at the right point in time with the flow.

Jio Studios

What was the build-up to the scene like?

Aditya was clear about what he wanted from every character, so we knew what we were getting into. On set, it was more like a job to be done, a homework that you have to give a test for. In every scene, there were a lot of rehearsals, so it was a pretty smooth journey, especially when all of the actors are so good. I had most of my scenes with Akshay sir and Ranveer bhai, and they are so secure and selfless as actors. They helped me out by suggesting things, among other things, so it becomes very easy if you have such people around.

What's one thing you remember about shooting this scene?

Everything. I am telling you, I was so excited the whole time. When I was on the set, my energy was like at a different level, because the scene was something else ya - so many memories. It was more like a second home because it was a one-and-a-half-year journey. When I used to go to the set from home, I used to feel that I was coming back home.

Did you think when you first heard the script that the scene would go viral?

For me, it was less about performing and more about understanding what was happening in that scene. It had to be very nuanced, and there is a very thin line where it might just go completely flat or over the top, and you can't let that happen. Today's audience is very sharp; they can easily see the intent, and the moment they see that this thing is not culminating into something very authentic, they will shun it down.

I actually sat for a long time thinking about the character as well. Most of the time, what happens is that when you do your homework, you just have to make sure that it never feels posed, because the camera catches everything. I feel really good about how much people have loved that scene and made it viral.

What were your discussions about your character with director Aditya like - anything he told you that stayed?

In every scene, I used to seek validation from Aditya sir. I never used to look at myself on the monitor. I just looked at him and waited for approval - the minute he used to say "good," I used to feel sorted. I used to think that I just didn't want to disappoint him. I used to improvise a lot, and Aditya sir used to be very happy with it. He gave me the liberty to do so, and said if you are sure of something, you don't worry and let me know, and we'll sort it out. He's given so much space to perform.

Even after part 1, we had a discussion, because I knew there were more intense scenes in the sequel. When I was playing those scenes, I was a little sceptical about how to go about it, and constantly thinking about it, but then you get approval from the director, you feel like you are doing fine

With all the love coming your way, how do you make sure to stay grounded in such moments?

I am a very socially introverted person. It is a pain for me to go to any event, I just feel like staying home and watching something and working on my craft. You are just as good as your last film, and you can't take it for granted. Hopefully, I will receive it later as well, but for that, I have to push myself harder and prove my worth.

When the FOMO thing happens with an actor, you should rather hustle for work, and that's the most important thing - rest everything is a byproduct of what you are working on.

How happy are you with the work coming your way, and are you open to still exploring platforms or want to focus on films?

There are a couple of things, but it's too early to say anything about them. I am extremely grateful for the work that's coming my way, and secondly, everyone in the industry has taken notice of the character and what I have played, which has been appreciated. Before this, I was working, but the thing is, it wasn't recognised, and for an actor, the biggest achievement is to be recognised. At this point, I am grateful that people are understanding that he performs well. The biggest validation is from the viewers.

Anywhere where I get an impactful role that stays with the audience, and the script is very good, very sharp, I don't mind exploring at all. For an actor, every medium is a medium; you can't say that TV is different, OTT is different, and films are different. An actor has to simply act in front of the camera.

Lastly, do we expect any news on Dhurandhar 3?

I am not the producer or the director, and I have no clue as an actor. If it happens, it'd be the most amazing thing, because the good thing is that I am still alive. As of now, I am absolutely oblivious about it.