Every day on set, a masterclass

Anil Grover (right) with co-stars Khan, Pannu and Kochhar

Anil Grover probably echoes the thought of many aspiring actors when he says, "I was willing to stand in a corner in a Shah Rukh Khan film." But the actor was firmly in the spotlight, as he portrayed one of the key characters in the Khan-led Dunki. Grover plays Balli, a tailor's son in Punjab, who aspires to head to England in the hope of a brighter future, in Rajkumar Hirani's latest directorial venture. He shares, "We worked on the film for two years. I found similarities between Balli and me, starting with the small-town-boy vibe. Like him, I have been everywhere and yet belong nowhere. I've lived in Delhi, Chandigarh, and now Mumbai. I researched a lot to create a back-story, and the director gave me liberty to run with the story. I never went to a film school, and the Raju Hirani movie was an institute of filmmaking."
What helped the actor was having fabulous co-stars in Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Vikram Kochhar. "Vicky paaji was a gem to work with, and Taapsee made me feel so comfortable on set. I never worried that I won't shine. It was a film that I learnt from." His actor-brother Sunil Grover was another source of support. "My brother has done so well, but he never stops working hard. He is my guiding light. Every time I get stuck, he pushes me to try again."

Four days into Dunki's release, Grover laughs that he is "underslept, overfed and happier than ever". His biggest joy - working with the superstar. "I have grown up on stories of conquerors, but there isn't anyone who loves and conquers like Mr Khan."