EXCLUSIVE: Pranav Vashisht Calls Working With Sunny Deol In Border 2 ‘Surreal’; Shares, “I Will Carry This Experience In My Heart Forever”

Pranav Vashisht has steadily established himself in both Hindi and Punjabi cinema, transitioning seamlessly from theatre stages to big-screen spectacles. With notable performances in films like Border 2 and Amar Singh Chamkila, he attributes his solid theatre background to shaping his craft. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Pranav Vashisht discusses working alongside Sunny Deol in the iconic war franchise, gaining insights through observation on sets like Jersey, and taking on challenging roles that push him beyond his comfort zone. He also reflects on winning the Critics’ Best Actor award, sharing how this recognition has strengthened his career. Scroll down to read what he said.

Pranav Vashisht On Sunny Deol’s Border 2, Amar Singh Chamkila & Acting, Roles

How Did Your Theatre Background Influence Your Approach To Acting In Films Like Border 2 And Amar Singh Chamkila?

“So theatre plays a very important role for any actor who wants to learn the craft of acting. I feel one should do theatre because it prepares you for anything you do in front of the camera — from voice modulation to building a character and understanding every aspect of acting. I still do theatre, and it will always be very important to me because that is where you learn the most. Once you’ve done theatre, things actually become easier for you.”

Can You Tell Us About Your Experience Working Alongside Sunny Deol In Border 2? What Was It Like To Work On Such A Big Project?

“My experience working with Sunny Sir was absolutely amazing. I still remember the first time I met him on set. I couldn’t believe that I was actually standing next to Sunny Deol. He’s a legend. We’ve grown up watching his films, and suddenly, one day, you find yourself standing beside him, working in a film like Border. That felt surreal. The kind of artist he is, he’s so good at what he does, and everyone has seen that. I got to learn so much from him.”

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“It was truly an experience that I will carry in my heart forever because those days were very special for me — meeting him, shooting with him, and being on set for such a big film like Border 2. As I mentioned before, whenever you think of a war film in India, you think of Border. So, for me to play an important character in this film and work alongside Sunny Sir — what more could I ask for? I’m very grateful for the opportunity and the experience.”

You’ve Played A Variety Of Roles Across Hindi And Punjabi Cinema. How Do You Prepare Differently For Each Role?

“When it comes to preparing for a role, I feel it’s really important, first of all, to understand your character and what the film is about. Reading is essential because, again, this is where theatre helps you. Once you read the script and understand your character, you begin to understand what it’s all about. Then, obviously, there are finer details to each character.”

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He added, “When it comes to playing my characters, my approach is to thoroughly read the script and understand the different layers of the character. That’s where I find the character — somewhere between the lines and within the layers. And of course, the brief you receive from the director and what you’re expected to do all add up to shaping the character.”

Winning The Critics’ Best Actor Award At The 2022 PTC Digital Film Festival Must Have Been Special. How Has That Recognition Impacted Your Career?

“Yes, it was one of the best moments of my life — winning the Critics’ Best Actor award for my film. The film also won the Best Film award, so it was truly an unbelievable night. It was especially special for me because my parents were there, sitting in front of me, when I received the award. It really helped me personally. Whenever your work is appreciated at such a big level and on such a big stage, it gives you a boost of confidence as an actor — that feeling that you can deliver even better. I feel it really motivated me to work harder and give even stronger performances. It has also helped me in terms of recognition. Especially in Punjab, people now know that I won this award, and they greet me by mentioning it. That’s always a very special feeling.”

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How Do You Choose The Roles You Want To Portray? Is There A Particular Character Or Genre You Are Eager To Explore Next?

“So when it comes to choosing roles, I see them more as challenges rather than just choices. The more challenging a role is, the more willing I am to do it. That has always been my approach whenever I’ve chosen a character. Many times, you haven’t really lived the life of the character you’re playing. For example, in Border 2, I have never been a soldier, and I don’t come from an army background. So again, it was a challenging role for me, and that’s exactly why I wanted to do it.”

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“When something challenges you, and you accomplish it, it gives you a sense of freedom and confidence. That’s how I feel whenever I take on a new character. There’s no particular genre or type of role that I want to stick to. For me, what’s most important is that whatever opportunity I get, I should deliver my best. So yeah, that’s what I focus on.”

Could You Share Some Challenges You Faced While Working On Projects Like Kohli’s Night Out And Jersey?

“So Kohli’s Night Out was a lot of fun. It’s a comedy film, and we had lots of laughter on set. It was an all-nighter since the entire film was shot during the night. The cast and crew were wonderful people, and we had a great time shooting it. When it comes to Jersey, it was special because I got to meet Shahid Kapoor and Pankaj Sir there. I was able to watch them closely and observe how they perform. That’s something every actor would love — to work with such talented artists and learn by watching them up close. So yes, it was a very special experience for me.”

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About Border 2

Border 2, produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, is directed by Anurag Singh and was released in theatres on January 23. Backed by T-Series and J P Films, it features Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, Pranav Vashisht, and Medha Rana in key roles.

About Amar Singh Chamkila

Released on April 12, 2024, Amar Singh Chamkila is a biographical musical drama that chronicles the meteoric rise and tragic assassination of Punjab’s legendary folk singer. Directed by Imtiaz Ali, marking a return to his musical-biopic storytelling style, the film features Diljit Dosanjh in the titular role, with Parineeti Chopra portraying his wife and singing partner, Amarjot Kaur. The soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman, includes a blend of original compositions and reimagined versions of Chamkila’s own hits.

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