Was scared to work with Riteish Deshmukh: Pulkit Samrat

Pic Courtesy: Movie Still

New Delhi: Actor Pulkit Samrat said he initially had reservations working with "Bangistan" co-star Riteish Deshmukh. The two actors, whose on-screen chemistry in the film's promo is getting appreciated by audience, are sharing screen space for the first time in the Excel Entertainment's upcoming film.

"Riteish is very funny. He has an amazing sense of humour. But I was scared to work with him. He is much senior to me so I thought to myself, 'how he would be with me, how am I going to work with him'," Pulkit told PTI.

The "Fukrey" star was pleasantly surprised when Riteish, 36, took efforts to break the ice between them and made him feel at ease.

"To my surprise, he said 'hello' to me first. He broke the ice, he made me the most comfortable. He used to give ideas that 'let's do something,' started improvising and made workshops so much fun that we opened up by the end of it and that's actually showing on the screen," Pulkit said.

Directed by debutant Karan Anshuman, "Bangistan" is a satirical comedy, which follows the lives of two blundering terrorists, played by Pulkit, 31, and Riteish, on a mission to change the world.

"It is a story of two youths who come from two parts of Bangistan. Riteish's character comes from North Bangistan. He is a Muslim. My character Praveen Chaturvedi comes from South Bangistan.

"We both believe in our respective faiths firmly and that is what is used as a weakness against us by the leaders of our respective fundamental groups," the actor said.

When asked if "Bangistan" team ever worried about the probability of having controversy around the movie, considering the religious sentiments involved, Pulkit said they never doubted the film as their intentions were at the right place. 

"It never occurred to us that we were doing something wrong. When a film is made, so many religions come together on the set. If we are doing something, someone would get offended on the set itself," he said.

The actor also feels treating a sensitive issue in a humorous way was an intelligent idea, which gives the film an edge over other movies dealing with religion and beliefs.

"This film could have been made as a thriller as it has the scope of a lot of action in it. There are two suicide bombers. But the idea of turning it into a satire and treating it in a humorous way is great. Humour is the most difficult to write," he said. "Bangistan", also starring Jacqueline Fernandez, is set to release on August 7.