Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 29: Actor Behzaad Khan, who essays the role of Babar Khan in the upcoming film Border 2, has opened up about his initial hesitation while shooting intense action sequences with veteran star Sunny Deol, admitting that respect and seniority held him back during their early takes.

Recalling the experience, Behzaad said he found it difficult to fully commit to scenes that required physical combat with Sunny. “We were shooting an action sequence where we had to hit each other. Looking at Sunny Sir and considering everything he has done over the years, I was extremely skeptical. My punches and pushes weren’t that hard because somewhere I was holding myself back,” he shared.

Sunny Deol, however, quickly sensed the discomfort and stepped in to put his co-actor at ease. “Sunny Sir told me, ‘Don’t worry about hitting or pushing me. We are actors. Take me as your opponent and just go for it. I’ll save myself,’” Behzaad recalled.

That reassurance, he said, helped him move past the overwhelming aura surrounding the senior actor and approach the scene with greater honesty. “It allowed me to see him not as Sunny Deol the legend, but as a co-actor,” he added.

Behzaad also described his first meeting with Sunny as an emotional moment. “The first time I met him, I had tears in my eyes. We’ve literally grown up watching him on screen. He’s a childhood hero for me and a true legend. Sharing screen space with him, discussing scenes, and trying to make them look authentic was completely unreal.”

What left the deepest impression on Behzaad was Sunny Deol’s discipline and commitment to his craft. “He is extremely supportive and incredibly dedicated. Even at this age, he remembers everything and performs all his sequences himself,” he said.

The experience, Behzaad admitted, proved to be transformative beyond just acting. “Working with an actor of Sunny Deol’s calibre gives you immense creative growth. By the end of the shoot, I genuinely felt I had evolved as an actor. He teaches you not just about acting, but about life — about being humble, grounded, and respectful. Sunny Sir carries gratitude and dignity so effortlessly,” he said.