Shaad Randhawa and Mohit Suri have a deep friendship and had earlier worked in six films together – Woh Lamhe (2006), Awarapan (2007), Aashiqui 2 (2013), Ek Villain (2014), Malang (2020) and Ek Villain Returns (2022). This makes Saiyaara their seventh film together. Shaad has been immensely praised for this role and moreover, he has also become a social media sensation. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, he revealed how he came into contact with the blockbuster filmmaker.
EXCLUSIVE: Saiyaara actor Shaad Randhawa reveals that his first scene in his debut flick Woh Lamhe was a sexual assault sequence with Kangana Ranaut: “I was nervous…Mohit Suri told me, ‘You should never play a villain thinking ki main villain hoon…’”
Shaad Randhawa explained, “He was the first one to probably notice my potential, my hunger and sincerity. He was the first one to give me a break. I was struggling at that time and would meet Bhatt saab (Mahesh Bhatt) and Mukesh ji (Mukesh Bhatt). That’s when I came across this boy who was an assistant on Tumsa Nahin Dekha (2004). He saw me consistently asking for work from the Bhatts. He told me, ‘One day, I’ll cast you’!”
Shaad Randhawa revealed how he finally got a role in Mohit Suri’s third film. He stated, “But then Zeher (2005) happened, followed by Kalyug (2005) (for which he didn’t cast me). Finally, during Woh Lamhe (2006), he approached me but also cautioned that it was a negative role. But I jumped at the opportunity.”
Woh Lamhe starred Kangana Ranaut and Shiney Ahuja as actress Sana Azim and filmmaker Aditya Garewal, respectively. Shaad essayed the role of a popular actor and Sana’s abusive and violent boyfriend, Nikhil Rai. When asked if he was worried when he read the script of Woh Lamhe and realized how villainous his character was, Shaad Randhawa replied, “No. At that point of time, a lot of eyebrows were raised as I was being launched as a villain. Now, it’s common, but then, it was not. Also, it was always on my mind that ‘let’s do this part right’, especially since it was challenging and completely out of my comfort zone.”
One of the most shocking scenes was where Nikhil sexually assaults Sana after being angry over her behaviour at a party. On this, he said, “That character was not me in any manner. I clearly remember that my first scene on my first film was where I kind of forced myself onto Kangana Ranaut. Mohit knew the person I was. He said, ‘You’re nervous, aren’t you?’. I replied in the affirmative. He suggested, ‘Don’t play it like a villain. Play it like a guy who’s in love with this girl. You should never play a villain thinking ki main villain hoon. A villain always thinks that he’s right. So, do it like you are right. Don’t make it out like a person is trying to be bad. Instead, make it seem like you feel wronged by her. How dare she behave that way in the party with that man’. That was my first experience with Mohit and since then, it has been very enriching working with him.”
Shaad continued, “For Woh Lamhe, I was quite appreciated. I even got Stardust’s New Menace award. Then, Awarapan (2007) happened and it had a different connect with people.”
What makes both Shaad Randhawa and Mohit Suri click so well? The actor humbly stated, “I don’t know. I guess it all boils down to the fact that Mohit and my sensibilities are similar. I kind of get what he wants. We also have a love and passion for cinema and creating something honestly. It’s never about let’s make this line iconic and let’s make a classic film. It’s just like how friends get together and they jam and make something nice with a lot of honesty and passion. Luckily, it has always resonated with the audience (smiles).”
More Pages: Saiyaara Box Office Collection
, Saiyaara Movie Review
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.