Oct 27, 2026 9:00pm IST
Pragya Jaiswal on Sharing Screen Space With Nagarjuna, Akshay Kumar and Nandamuri Balakrishna (EXCLUSIVE)
Pragya Jaiswal has worked with several prominent names across Indian film industries, including Nandamuri Balakrishna, Akshay Kumar, Jagapathi Babu, Nagarjuna and Sunny Deol. Reflecting on her experiences on set, the actor shares what she admires about her co-stars, from Balakrishna’s energy, punctuality and dedication to Jagapathi Babu’s ability to transform himself for every role. She also recalls the warmth and camaraderie of working with Vishnu Manchu and Nagarjuna, and how Sunny Deol’s gentle, soft-spoken nature differs from the intimidating screen persona she grew up watching.
She speaks about Nagarjuna, with whom she has worked in the 2017 devotional film “Om Namo Venkatesaya." Jaiswal reveals, “He is great to work with. He is always giving his 100% to every shot. He also keeps it light, easy and effortless. I really enjoy that.”
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On Nandamuri Balakrishna, who she has worked with in “Akhanda” and “Daaku Maharaaj,” the actress says, “He’s the most energetic and positive person that I have ever worked with in my life. He is also very respectful. These are the things I observed in him, that I have taken so much inspiration from. He comes to set every day like he’s a newcomer. I am not saying it like that. He comes with full enthusiasm. He wants to give his 100 percent, even though he has been in this industry for 30 to 40 years.”
About working with Jagapathi Babu in three films “Akhanda,” “Jaya Janaki Nayaka” and “Om Namo Venkatesaya,” she says, “He’s in every other good film that gets made in Telugu. He does films in multiple other languages. He is like a chameleon. He changes his form, look and acting style with every project. I have been on so many sets with him and could not recognize at one go.”
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In the Hindi film industry, Jaiswal has shared screen space with many, but the two actors who have inspired her remain Akshay Kumar and Sunny Deol. Of Akshay, Pragya says, “He is the most punctual person I have ever worked with. He shows up on time and does his homework well. He is the most sincere and dedicated to his craft. At the same time, he does not put any pressure on the people around him. He makes the process really fun for all his co-actors. You have fun while working, so you don’t realize when you are working hard.”
Deol and Jaiswal feature together in the upcoming film, “Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak.” Calling her co-star “super sweet,” the actress mentions, “He acts effortlessly. I have watched his films as a kid and would imagine he would be as strict and intimidating as his characters. But he is different in real life. He is calm, unintimidating and makes you feel at ease. He is gentle, soft-spoken and respectful. These are the qualities I admire about him. You imagine a certain personality when you think of superstars, but he is very different.”
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