It’s a great fortune to bag a good role in a project, but the icing on the cake is being paired opposite experienced co-stars. For Anshumaan Pushkar, director Pulkit’s Maalik was a “great learning and exciting experience.” He says sharing screen space with Rajkummar Rao made things easier. “I have followed his work closely. He is a mentor and a great friend to have. His work ethic, commitment, and the way he mixes with his co-actors is admirable,” says the actor of Jamtara and 12th Fail fame.

Anshumaan Pushkar

In Maalik, the two actors portray pivotal roles, and their synergy on screen reflects their off-screen rapport. Pushkar recalls an incident that left a lasting impression on him, “In a particular scene, I was confused about [how to do my part]. After making sure that he is standing on cue, Rajkummar comforted me by saying I played exactly what was needed. On set, we often shared thoughts on the acting process. He pushed me to dig deeper as an actor and made me better.”

While he worked on his craft, the action scenes in Maalik excited Pushkar more. He says, “This was the first time I did such intense action. Apart from a few small injuries, I had a blast! Whether it was close fistfights, jumping off rooftops, escaping blasts, or high-speed car chases, I lived every moment of it. This film demanded more from me — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. With Maalik, I feel like I’m levelling up.”