How is life for you right now? How did you come on board for Ustaad Bhagat Singh?
Raashii Khanna: Life is very busy right now. To be honest, the moment I heard that it was Pawan Kalyan Garu’s film, I immediately said yes with excitement—even before hearing the story. I’ve heard so much about his stardom and the phenomenon called "Pawanism" since my first film. I always wished to act with him, and with Ustaad Bhagat Singh, that dream has come true.
What kind of role are you playing in this film?
Raashii Khanna: My character’s name is Shloka, a very modern girl. Every character in the film holds significance, and my role has strong characterization. I also have a mass song in the movie, which I thoroughly enjoyed shooting for because I love dancing.
How was your experience working with Pawan Kalyan?
Raashii Khanna: Pawan Garu is such a simple and humble person. He’s always reading books, and there’s an innocence about him that’s hard to explain. On the first day, he asked me if I always wanted to be an actress, and I shared that I actually wanted to become an IAS officer. He speaks very little, but every word he says carries great value. He also encouraged me to consider public service. I’ve learned a lot about humanity from him, and at the Ustaad Bhagat Singh event, when I saw his fans, it felt like they were worshipping him as a god.
What would you say about director Harish Shankar?
Raashii Khanna: Harish Shankar Garu is extremely smart and understands the pulse of the mass audience. He completed a shoot that usually takes 120 days in just 40 days! He worked tirelessly, even sacrificing sleep. During the shoot, he’d write punch dialogues on set. His dedication and patience are incredible, and I learned so much from him.
Did you feel your screen space might be reduced since there are two heroines (you and Sreeleela)?Raashii Khanna: We actually don’t have scenes together. Every character has its own space and importance, and my role has good variations.
Since you had to work around Pawan Kalyan’s schedules, was it difficult to manage the dates?Raashii Khanna: Harish Garu had warned me that Pawan Kalyan Garu’s schedule might be unpredictable. I assured him I’d adjust accordingly. There were times we worked 24-hour shifts without distinguishing between day and night.
How was it working with Mythri Movie Makers?
Raashii Khanna: Mythri Movie Makers are fantastic producers who put their heart and soul into their films. They never compromise on the budget and always give full freedom to the director. The working environment in the Mythri banner is excellent, and I hope to collaborate with them more in the future.
What can audiences expect from Ustaad Bhagat Singh?
Raashii Khanna: Just like Gabbar Singh, Ustaad Bhagat Singh will be very entertaining. It’s a family film that everyone can watch together in theaters. Since it’s releasing during Ugadi, I believe audiences will really enjoy it. Most importantly, you’ll get to see vintage Pawan Kalyan Garu on screen.
Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
Raashii Khanna: Currently, I’m working on a Hindi film with Akshay Kumar and also on Farzi Season 2. I’m also acting in an Amazon series where I play a Punjabi police officer and speak all my dialogues in Punjabi. In Tamil, I’m doing a film titled Rowdy & Co., and in Telugu, I’m listening to a few scripts.
