‘In normal times Sooryavanshi would have killed it,’ says Nikitin Dheer

Nikitin Dheer/PR image

Nikitin Dheer has had an exciting year with three releases Shershaah, Sooryavanshi and Antim: The Final Truth hitting bulls eye. Adding to his happiness the actor recently announced that he will be turning dad in 2022. The ecstatic actor speaks to mid-day. com.

Your film also starring Salman Khan, Aayush Sharma and Mahima Makwana, Antim has just released. What are the reactions you are receiving?
Towards the first lockdown, Salman Khan bhai said he's making a film and wants me to be part of it. Any actor receiving a call from him offering a role is a privilege. He is someone I hold in high regard along with Rohit Shetty. I didn't ask any questions, but he called me to office and explained the story. Mahesh Manjrekar narrated the script. My character is pitted opposite Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma has done a fabulous job. I'm very excited. All the work I had been doing before the lockdown is bearing fruit. I had taken a break from work for a couple of years because someone's health in my family wasn't right, but I'm still getting such fantastic work organically.

Your other films Shershaah and Sooryavanshi also received a good response…
God has been kind, my first web series Raktanchal also did well. People liking my work in the three releases this year, Shershaah, Sooryavanshi and Antim, is a win-win situation.

How was it re-uniting with Rohit Shetty for Sooryavanshi?
I'm in a long list of actors who is a fan of Rohit bhai. He's the biggest commercial director, he's proven it with sheer numbers. Audiences look forward to his films, Sooryavanshi has done well in such tough times. In normal times, it would have killed it. Any actor is privileged to be directed by him. Even if you have one scene in his film, the audience remembers you.

Shershaah changed the game for your co-star Sidharth Malhotra…
I signed Shershaah at a time when I was getting offered all negative roles. This role was powerful yet positive, a deshbhakt. A good army film is on the wishlist of every actor. With Dharma at the film, you know it will be right. I knew Sidharth even before he became an actor. I used to tell him ‘Tu banda hi alag hai is film mein' and ‘you are owning the character'. That's what happened everyone like it when it released a lot of credit goes to director Vishnu Vardhan who was so passionate about each character.

You are all set to turn father next year…
We are fortunate we live with our parents, my mum and dad are there to guide us. We are a close knit family so we are all very happy and taking one day at a time.

Also Read:'Dheer Junior coming this 2022,' Nikitin Dheer announces Kratika Sengar's pregnancy with an adorable picture