Pulkit Samrat reveals Salman Khan’s advice before his debut changed his outlook on stardom: “You don’t have a guarantee for me next Friday.”
Making a place in Bollywood without guidance from the industry can be an uphill battle, but Pulkit Samrat says he was lucky to have Salman Khan by his side during the initial years of his career. The actor recently spoke about how the star’s words before the release of his debut film ‘Bittoo Boss’ helped him overcome anxiety and taught him an invaluable lesson about dealing with success and failure.In a conversation with Variety India, Pulkit also shared what he learned from watching Salman work behind the scenes, and revealed that the actor’s commitment to cinema and humility continue to inspire him.
Salman Khan’s advice eased Pulkit’s stress for the first time
Recalling the days leading up to the release of ‘Bittoo Boss’ in 2012, Pulkit admitted that he was overwhelmed with nerves. Like any newcomer, he was concerned about how the film and its performance would be received by audiences.“I was very anxious, wondering how the audience would receive the film and my performance. Salman bhai just looked at me and said, ‘Pulkit, I am Salman Khan. Even I don’t have a guarantee for next Friday. So, who do you think you are? What will you achieve by emphasizing this?The actor said those few words instantly changed the way he viewed the uncertainty surrounding the film industry. “It made me realize that if someone of Salman Khan’s stature cannot guarantee the box office success of his next film, then I have absolutely no reason to bear that pressure.”
Watching Salman work has become a lesson in dedication
Pulkit said that the biggest thing he learned from Salman was not limited to advice. Observing the star’s work ethic gave him a clearer understanding of what it takes to enjoy a long career in film.Contrary to the belief that Salman is a laid-back person, Pulkit described him as someone whose mind is constantly occupied with filmmaking.“He eats, sleeps and breathes movies 24/7. Even on a lucky day when he only gets three hours of sleep, he’s constantly thinking about his projects, whether it’s discovering the perfect person for a character or brainstorming a blockbuster that audiences in theaters will love.”Inspired by this level of commitment, Pulkit said he realized that he would have to work harder to build his career.“Seeing that level of commitment made me realize that if I wanted to achieve even 50% of what he did, I needed to work 500% harder. Since then, hard work has become ingrained in my personality.”
The biggest takeaway lies behind the films
Over the years, audiences have often noticed shades of Salman Khan in Pulkit’s screen presence. However, the actor believes the most valuable lessons came from observing Salman’s behavior off-camera.
“The way he cares for his people is a tremendous learning experience.”Pulkit also expressed his admiration for the star’s relationship with his family, especially his respect for his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan. “At the end of the day, he is still Mr. Slim’s son. He will not lift a finger without his father’s permission. This deep respect and unconditional love for family is something I constantly witness in his home, and it is a quality I greatly admire and strive to emulate.”Pulkit Samrat was recently seen in Netflix series Glory, which earned him appreciation from the viewers. He also made a special appearance in the film “Cocktail 2” directed by Homi Adajania.
