Making a place in Bollywood without industry guidance can be an uphill battle, but Pulkit Samrat Said he was lucky Salman Khan By his side in the early years of his career. The actor recently reflected on how the superstar’s words helped him overcome anxiety and taught him an invaluable lesson on dealing with success and failure ahead of the release of his debut film ‘Bittu Boss’.In a conversation with Variety India, Pulkit also shared what he learned from watching Salman work behind the scenes, revealing that the actor’s commitment to cinema and his humility inspires him.
The mystery of Pulkit’s debut has been reduced by Salman Khan’s suggestion
Recalling the days of ‘Bittu Boss’ release in 2012, Pulkit admits that he was overcome with nervousness. Like any newcomer, he was worried about how the audience would receive both the film and his performance.“I was incredibly anxious, wondering how the film and my performance would be received by the audience. Salman bhai just looked at me and said, ‘Pulkit, I’m Salman Khan. I don’t even have a guarantee for next Friday. So, who do you think you are? What are you going to achieve by pushing it?'”The actor said that these few words instantly changed his perspective on the uncertainty of the film industry. “It made me realize that if someone of Salman Khan’s stature can’t guarantee the box office success of his next film, there’s no reason for me to bear that pressure.”
Seeing Salman’s work became a lesson in devotion
Pulkit said his biggest learning from Salman was not limited to advice. Observing the superstar’s work ethic has given him a clear understanding of what it takes to enjoy a long career in cinema.Contrary to the perception that Salman is resting, Pulkit describes him as someone whose mind is constantly occupied with filmmaking.“He eats, sleeps and breathes film 24/7. Even on a lucky day when he sleeps just three hours, he’s constantly thinking about his projects, whether it’s finding the perfect person for a character or brainstorming a huge action piece that audiences will love in theaters.”Inspired by that level of commitment, Pulkit said he realized he had to work harder to build his own career.“Seeing this level of commitment made me realize that if I want to achieve 50% of what he has, I have to work 500% harder. Since then, hard work has just become my instinct.”
The biggest takeaway is beyond the film
Over the years, audiences have often noticed shades of Salman Khan in Pulkit’s screen presence. However, the actor believes that the most valuable lesson came from observing Salman’s behavior away from the camera. “The way he takes care of his people is a huge learning experience.”Pulkit praised the superstar’s bond with his family, especially his respect for his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan. “At the end of the day, he’s still Salim sir’s son. He won’t lift a finger without his father’s permission. Deep respect for family and unconditional love is something I witness constantly in his home, and it’s a quality I deeply admire and try to emulate.”Pulkit Samrat was recently seen in Netflix’s ‘Glory’, which earned him appreciation from the audience. He also made a special appearance in Homi Adajania’s ‘Cocktail 2’.
