'Selfless' Ranveer Singh Allows Other To Shine, Akshaye Khanna Is Quiet: Dhurandhar's Uzair AKA Danish Pandor

For years, Danish Pandor lived the part of an outsider the Hindi film industry rarely writes scripts for. Endless auditions, long silences, and promises that went nowhere became routine. Today, as Dhurandhar climbs charts and conversations, the attention is finally catching up with him. Still, Pandor is not pretending that one successful film has changed the rules of the game. Speaking candidly, the actor admitted in a chat with Hindustan Times that the struggle never really leaves you. “The industry is unpredictable. There were phases when I didn’t have work for two-and-a-half or three years. You keep auditioning, keep hearing no, and at some point, you start questioning yourself.” Visibility comes first, certainty never does With Dhurandhar performing

strongly, Pandor says the applause feels good but comes with no guarantees. “A hit film doesn’t guarantee you better work. It gives you visibility, yes, but you still have to go out there and prove yourself again.” His role as Uzair has struck a chord with viewers, something he describes as emotional and grounding at the same time. The love, he says, feels real but also fragile in an industry that moves fast and forgets faster. Learning on set, not in classrooms Pandor credits his co-stars for shaping his experience on the film. Working alongside Ranveer Singh left a deep impression. “Ranveer is a rare actor who allows others to shine,” he says. “He is one of the most secure and selfless actors I have ever seen. His only focus is how to lift the scene and make it better. He comes to set completely prepared, completely in character. You get inspired just watching him work.” His time with Akshaye Khanna offered a very different lesson. “He is a man of very few words. He sits quietly, observes everything, and when the camera rolls, he transforms. That kind of silent preparation is very powerful. Watching him taught me how much acting is about listening and absorbing – an experience no acting school can give you.” On bans, backlash and being labelled propaganda The film’s reception has not been smooth everywhere. Addressing Dhurandhar being banned in parts of the Middle East and the accusations of propaganda, Pandor remains calm. “Cinema is subjective. Dhurandhar is about storytelling and not about forcefully pushing a message on anyone. Viewers are intelligent enough to decide what they want to take from it.” He adds that dwelling on criticism is pointless. “If you keep focusing on the negative aspects, you won’t be able to move forward. You take what is good and move ahead with a pinch of salt.”