Rising actor Hirav Mehta is soaking in the love coming his way after ‘Dhurandha- The Revenge’ and ‘Dhurandhar’, where despite limited screen time, his performance has struck a chord with audiences. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Hirav, who played BUF (Baloch United Force) Rebel in the film and is currently labelled as ‘the best driver in india’ in the viral meme festival, opens up about working with industry stalwarts like Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, and Rakesh Bedi, dealing with nerves, and the lessons he’s taking forward.How has the response been, both personally and professionally?Professionally and personally, both. So, I’ll tell you one thing that, you know, the audience. they are giving so much love to me and to my character, to the scene that I’ve done in the film, right? So, it is really very overwhelming and I’m just soaking in all the love… So, it’s a wonderful feeling.And professionally also, you know, I feel that I was able to create an impact not through a dialogue, but through my emotions and my expressions, right? And for an actor, it’s like a very huge deal. So, really feeling blessed and happy about it.What was your first day on set like, especially with such a stellar cast?“When I got to know that I’m going to work in ‘Dhurandhar’ and when I saw the cast names, I was like, ‘Oh my God, these are all legends.’ Ranveer Singh sir, Akshaye Khanna sir, Arjun Rampal sir, R Madhavan sir, Rakesh Bedi sir… everybody, they are like legends. So, I was really very nervous… will I be able to perform well? But the energies on the set and the people were so nice and so welcoming. All these huge legendary actors were so welcoming.I remember I introduced myself to Ranveer Singh sir in the morning. And later at night, during a scene, he shouted from behind the camera, ‘Let’s go Hirav!’… It was such a wonderful feeling that an actor of his magnitude remembered my name and was cheering for me.”What were your biggest learnings from Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna?“It was like an acting masterclass. Seeing them on screen and seeing them act in front of the camera are two different things. You learn so much more. They make sure they give the take exactly how the director wants, and even after a perfect take, they say, ‘Let’s give one more. let’s try something different.’ The number of variations they can bring to one scene, that’s the beauty of their craft.”Any memorable moment with Sanjay Dutt?I had a scene which is now a viral meme as ‘best driver of India. In that scene, we were in two separate cars and not even in the same frame. We shot on the same day but had different call times. I had an early morning call, so I finished my close-ups and was about to head back to my vanity and pack up.That’s when I got to know that Sanju Baba was arriving. I immediately thought, ‘I can’t miss this chance to meet a legend.’ So, I decided to wait, no matter how long it took.I quickly went back, changed, and came out again. After a while, Sanju Baba arrived in his car, stepped out, and there it was that iconic style of walking. It’s something everyone recognises instantly he’s a legend.When he arrived… that walk, that presence, everyone knows it. I was very nervous, but I gathered courage and introduced myself, saying, ‘I’m the one who crashes into your car.’And in his amazing style, he reacted… his eyes, his intensity. But when you speak to him, he’s such a sweetheart. That moment will always stay with me.What was it like working with Rakesh Bedi, someone you grew up watching?Rakesh Bedi sir has always been a legend. Watching him perform in a film like ‘Dhurandhar’, which is so intense and completely different from the roles we’ve often seen him in, was truly remarkable. The way he approached his scenes showed how an experienced actor can bring incredible versatility to his craft.That’s one big thing I learned from him. Even in such intense moments, he had the ability to make the audience laugh with his impeccable comic timing. I believe that comes from years and years of experience.To be able to make people smile and enjoy the moment even in serious situations—that’s the true beauty of his acting craft.How did you ensure your performance stood out and didn’t get overshadowed by such stalwarts?Of course, being among such giants, the thought does cross your mind. But when I got to know I was doing this film, I was all set—I told myself, ‘I am ready to perform.’An actor gets very few opportunities to truly perform, and I was getting that chance in such a big film with such big names. So, I didn’t compare myself or think about whether I could match their level. I simply trusted my craft and focused on everything I had learned over the years. I kept doing that, and the rest is history.How did director Aditya Dhar guide you on set?Sharing the frame with such seasoned actors can be intimidating, but I have to say that Aditya Dhar sir made the entire process incredibly smooth. He is one of the most amazing directors I have worked with. The way he briefs his actors is so clear and precise that you know exactly what is expected from you.Because of that clarity, most of my scenes were completed in a single take. That’s entirely due to how well he explains the mood, the intensity, and the emotional requirement of a scene.What also stands out about him is his personality, he’s extremely grounded and always calm on set. I’ve never seen him lose his temper. He’s very welcoming and, most importantly, open to creative inputs.Even as a newcomer, if I suggested something, he would genuinely consider it. He would either incorporate it or explain why it wouldn’t work. That kind of openness makes a huge difference for an actor, especially when you’re just starting outDid you feel pressure working with such seasoned actors?Definitely, I did have this thought in my head that I would have to match their level. But I made sure not to let it turn into pressure. Because the moment you start taking that kind of pressure while performing, it reflects in your acting.So, I kept reminding myself to stay comfortable and just give it my all—perform with complete honesty, focus, and heart. I believed that if I did that, everything else would fall into place.Did you form any bonds off-screen?I would say Ranveer Singh sir. We couldn’t interact much during the shoot, but during the screening and after-party, we hugged, danced, and he appreciated my scene. That meant a lot to me.Are you still in touch with the cast?“There’s no formal group, but I’m in touch with my co-actors—the gang members you see in the film. We stayed together during the shoot, and now we celebrate the film’s success together.”Would you call this film a ‘one scene, many lessons’ experience?110 percent. This film taught me how to absorb audience love, how to stay grounded, and how to handle pressure while performing an important scene. It has taught me a lot.
