'Ranveer Singh is a very secure actor, kuch actors toh scene cut karva dete hain: Kennedy's Rahul Bhat praises Dhurandhar star, calls director Aditya Dhar brilliant - Exclusive

Ranveer Singh in a still from Dhurandhar

• Rahul Bhat's film Kennedy to stream on Zee5 from February 20
• Rahul praised Ranveer Singh's secure acting in blockbuster Dhurandhar
• Rahul supports shift-wise pay for workers in the film industry

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Bollywood actor Rahul Bhat is excited for the release of his much-awaited movie Kennedy, directed by Anurag Kashyap. Rahul plays the role of a ruthless hitman who works as a cab driver by day.

In an exclusive chat with Moneycontrol, Rahul Bhat spoke about his movie Kennedy finally releasing in India and the recent blockbuster movie Dhurandhar. Kennedy, which also stars Sunny Leone in the lead, is going to stream on Zee5 from February 20.

Rahul praised Ranveer Singh and called him a very 'secure' actor.

Rahul also spoke with admiration about fellow Kashmiri Pandit and filmmaker Aditya Dhar, superstar Ranveer Singh’s performance in Dhurandhar and the impact of the superhit movie on today's film culture.

Also Read: Dhurandhar singer Jasmine Sandlas stops Delhi concert mid-show to call out harassment: ‘I will not perform if women don’t feel safe’

Rahul Bhat didn't hold back when praising Aditya Dhar’s craft and cinematic vision.

“Kya picture banayi hai, he is a very interesting filmmaker, Aditya Dhar. Main toh issi baat se khush ho jata hoon ki he is a Kashmiri Pandit like me. He has made a lovely picture," he said. (What a film he has made; Aditya Dhar is a very interesting filmmaker. I feel happy even with the fact that he is a Kashmiri Pandit like me. He has made a lovely film.)

He went on to highlight the performances that shaped the film’s success, especially Ranveer Singh’s layered appearance despite the scale of stardom attached to him.

He called Ranveer Singh a secure actor for playing second fiddle to Akshaye Khanna and other co-actors in the movie. Rahul called Ranveer Singh a brilliant actor.

“Akshaye Khanna and other actors were brilliant in the movie but Ranveer Singh was brilliant. And he is a very secure actor… Despite being a star, he is so secure; I love him," he added. (Akshaye Khanna and the other actors were brilliant, but Ranveer Singh was outstanding. He is a very secure actor. Despite being a star, he is incredibly secure, and I love that.)

Senior Actors get insecure 

Rahul said other senior and famous actors would infact get insecure and even get roles of co-actors cut, but Ranveer demonstrated security as an actor.

“Itni security chahiye kisi actor mein… Itna bada star hoga na woh bolega main nahi karoonga… What an interesting actor and I am very happy for him,” he said. (An actor needs this level of security. A big star might refuse or try to cut scenes of others out of insecurity. What an interesting actor, and I am very happy for him.

Watch the exclusive interview of Rahul Bhat

The scale and super success of Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar's strong earnings and incredible audience response underline Aditya Dhar’s growing box-office credibility. Rahul Bhat said what excites him is Aditya Dhar’s storytelling courage.

“Kya kahani banayi hai? He has set a gangster film in Pakistan and sold it to an Indian audience. That is a craft. It shows something… I think Aditya is the best in the industry right now," he added. (What a story… setting a gangster film in Pakistan and selling it to an Indian audience is pure craft. It shows his capability. I think Aditya is the best in the industry right now.

Rahul on an Eight-Hour Shift

The conversation then shifted to one of the most discussed issues in the entertainment industry right now, the demand for regulated eight-hour shifts.

Rahul Bhat dismissed it and said they are creative people and can't stick to a certain time frame. He said Anurag (Kashyap) made them work for 16 hours a day as well.

“Eight-hour shift nahi hota… it is a work of passion. Anurag makes you work 16 hours as well. We worked nonstop for two days. Baaki workers hai… Sabka khayal rakhna chahiye… light boys, spot boys… They should be paid shift-wise," he said. (There is no eight-hour shift. This is work driven by passion. Anurag can make you work 16 hours. We worked nonstop for two days. There are other workers whose welfare must be protected—light boys, spot boys, and daily wagers. They should be paid per shift.)

Rahul added that financial adjustments should begin at the top.

“Bhale hi actors ko na mile… jo bade log hai kam mile. Workers should be paid per shift.” (Even if actors are paid less, that’s fine. Big people can earn less. Workers must be paid per shift.)

Rahul Bhat was last seen as DSP Tomar in Netflix's hit series Black Warrant. He is now gearing up for the India release of Kennedy, which was originally released worldwide in 2023. The actor is hopeful that the movie will find its audience in India and also the much-needed appreciation.

'Kennedy' premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 and received a seven-minute standing ovation. The movie continued to garner a good response at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) and the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

But its release was stuck in a limbo despite a clearance from the censor board due to some issues with the production banner.