'I was nervous to meet Salman Khan while shooting for Bajrangi Bhaijaan, says Khushaal Pawaar aka Kamil

Kushaal poses with Salman Khan on the sets of Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Ten years ago, Bajrangi Bhaijaan was released and instantly became one of the most heartwarming and unforgettable films of Hindi cinema. While Salman Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui led the film with powerful performances, it also brought to light new talents who contributed to its soul.

One such talent is Khushaal Pawaar, who played the role of Kamil in the film.

In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Khushaal spoke about how the blockbuster film became a milestone in his career. He started out as an intern at Mukesh Chabra's casting institute and then went on to share screen space with some of Bollywood’s biggest names.

Before facing the camera, Khushaal was well-versed with the workings behind it. He spent years assisting Mukesh Chhabra, one of the most respected casting directors in India. “I auditioned for a lot of ads and films, but very few got converted. I remember auditioning for Judwaa 2 as well, where I got rejected the first time. Later I got called again and got through. So, I was always auditioning—ads, films, whatever came by.”

Working under Mukesh Chhabra came with discipline. “At MCC, there was a strict rule that those assisting in casting couldn’t audition themselves. But Bajrangi happened in a similar way. Mukesh sir really helped me. Even though it wasn’t allowed, he still gave me a chance and guided me. For that, I’ll always be grateful.”

When asked about his first day on set, Khushaal said: “I wasn’t nervous, and I wasn’t overconfident either. I was just excited. It felt like a dream come true.”

Also Read: Exclusive - Manushi Chhillar says Beauty Queens are considered for glam roles, 'I don’t think I was the natural choice for Maalik'

Meeting director Kabir Khan was a surreal moment for the first-time actor.

“The way Kabir sir directed me and made me comfortable, I forgot I was doing this for the first time. I forgot I was meeting this crew for the first time. Everyone was so helpful. I couldn’t even sleep the night before the shoot—I was too excited thinking about what would happen and how I’d perform," he said.

For a young actor, sharing screen space with Salman Khan can be overwhelming. But Khushaal says for him the memory of meeting the Bhaijaan in real life is etched forever.

“I was nervous to meet Salman sir, obviously. He’s such a huge star, and I didn’t know how he’d be. But he was so warm. That first interaction, I’ll never forget it.”

He recalls the atmosphere on set while shooting in Kashmir. "We were filming in Sonamarg. It was freezing cold. But despite the weather, the environment was so healthy and warm in spirit, thanks to the team," he added.

One of the most enriching parts of his Bajrangi Bhaijaan experience was working closely with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. “Our bond was instant. We talked a lot. I asked him about his struggle days and he was kind enough to share. It was inspiring," he said.

But it was in front of the camera where the real learning happened. “We were doing a scene, and I told him it didn’t feel like he was doing anything. That’s when he explained that on the big screen, if you do too much, it looks exaggerated. He said to keep it subtle, natural. That really stuck with me. It changed how I see performance today.”

Reflecting on the film’s 10-year anniversary, Khushaal is filled with gratitude. "That film will always be special. It changed things for me, not just professionally, but personally. It gave me confidence, it gave me belief."

Today, Khushaal has carved his niche as an actor-influencer with a growing fanbase.