Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 31, 2018)

Saqib Saleem, who will be seen playing the lead role in Dil Juunglee opposite Taapsee Pannu, is full of praise for Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana. “Usually heroes are perfect, and they can do no wrong, but Rajkummar and Ayushmann excel in playing the flawed heroes,” says Saqib. He also wants to essay characters that are less than perfect, have some incapability or are negative. “It is more fun to play such personalities than portraying heroes who are perfect,” he quips.

Rajkummar, he says,  was “stupendous” in Bareilly Ki Barfi. “He got to play two characters and Rajkummar did them both convincingly. I can’t imagine anybody else doing it. When I see some films I feel ‘Main bhi ise aise hi karta’, but when I see Rajkummar I feel I can’t do what he has done. He had a wonderful year in 2017 with films like Newton, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana and Trapped. He has really worked hard to reach where he is today. He started with Love, Sex Aur Dhoka, had a small role in Talaash, did Gangs Of Wasseypur and with time his stature went up, so much so that he has become a successful box-office bet. His journey is so inspiring,” gushes Saqib.

Ayushmann, according to Saqib, is a very good actor, but underrated. “Whether it was Shubh Mangal Saavdhan or Bareilly Ki Barfi, he has been the flawed hero. In the latter, he was a selfish bully, but he played it with honesty and in a humane way,” says Saqib in praise of his friend.

The actor sees himself in the same space as Rajkummar and Ayushmann. “I am a content-driven actor, I am not the guy who will give a Rs 100-crore film. People are not dying to watch me in a film, but give me decent content and I promise you I will put my heart and soul into it. I am still finding my journey,” he signs off.