Pulkit Samrat on Salman Khan’s Life-Changing Advice: ‘Even I Don’t Have the Guarantee of My Next Friday’ (EXCLUSIVE)

It’s a daunting experience to navigate the Hindi film industry without a mentor. Pulkit Samrat considers himself incredibly fortunate to have found a guiding light in Hindi film superstar Salman Khan. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Samrat credits Khan for not only supporting him professionally but also fundamentally shifting how he approaches the highs and lows of showbiz.

Lessons in de-stressing
Recalling a conversation with Khan on the eve of the release of his debut “Bittoo Boss” in 2012, shared the exact words that cured his anxiety. "I was incredibly anxious, wondering how the film and my performance would be received by the audience. Salman bhai just looked at me and said, 'Pulkit, I am Salman Khan. Even I don’t have the guarantee of my next Friday. So, who do you think you are? What are you going to achieve by stressing about it?'"

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That reality check completely changed the younger actor’s perspective. "It made me realize that if someone of Salman Khan's stature cannot guarantee the box office success of his next film, I have absolutely no reason to carry that stress," he reflects. Beyond the advice, witnessing Khan’s dedication firsthand gave him a masterclass in what it takes to survive and thrive in the industry. Contrary to the public perception that the superstar is sometimes detached from his craft, Samrat reveals that Khan’s mind is constantly wired toward filmmaking.

"He eats, sleeps, and breathes films 24/7. Even on a lucky day when he gets just three hours of sleep, he is constantly thinking about his projects—whether it's spotting the perfect person for a character or brainstorming a massive action piece that the audience will love in the theaters," says Pulkit Samrat, adding, "Seeing that level of commitment made me realize that if I want to achieve even 50% of what he has, I need to work 500% harder. Since then, hard work has simply become inherent to me."

Over the years, fans and critics alike have noticed glimpses of Khan’s influence in Samrat’s on-screen persona, from his effortless expressions to the way he carries himself in a frame. While Samrat subconsciously applies those performance notes, his biggest takeaways from his mentor lie in how the superstar conducts himself behind the camera.

"The way he cares for his people is a massive learning experience," he shares, adding that despite his global stardom, Khan’s humility at home stands out the most. "At the end of the day, he is still Salim sir’s son. He won't even lift a finger without his father's permission. That deep respect and unconditional love for family is something I constantly witness in his house, and it's a quality I deeply admire and strive to emulate."

Pulkit Samrat was recently seen in the Netflix series “Glory,” which earned him acclaim. He also made a cameo in Homi Adjania’s recently released “Cocktail 2.”