Before making his mark as an actor in Bollywood, Sooraj Pancholi had a lesser-known but formative stint behind the camera — working as an assistant director on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2010 film Guzaarish, which starred Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. In a recent interview, Sooraj opened up about his time on the sets of the visually stunning film and his interactions with Hrithik Roshan, revealing the invaluable lessons he learned from the superstar during those early days.
For many fans, the idea of Sooraj working behind the scenes might come as a surprise. But for the actor, starting his journey in the industry by observing the craft up close — rather than jumping straight into the spotlight — was a conscious decision. Guzaarish, a film that earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth and aesthetic brilliance, proved to be a masterclass in filmmaking for Sooraj.
“When I was on the sets of Guzaarish, I wasn’t thinking about becoming a star. I was just absorbing everything,” Sooraj recalled. “I got the chance to observe Sanjay sir’s incredible attention to detail and also had the opportunity to interact with one of the most disciplined actors I’ve ever met — Hrithik Roshan.”
Sooraj shared that while he didn’t have long, elaborate conversations with Hrithik during the shoot, their brief interactions left a lasting impact. “Hrithik was completely in character throughout the filming. He was playing a quadriplegic magician, and it was a role that demanded emotional intensity and physical stillness, which is the opposite of what most actors are used to,” he said.
Despite the demands of the role, Sooraj noted that Hrithik always maintained an approachable demeanor. “We mostly talked about discipline, fitness, and mindset. Hrithik is someone who doesn’t just act — he transforms for every role. I remember asking him about how he maintains his physique, especially while doing such emotionally exhausting scenes, and he told me that consistency is everything,” Sooraj shared.
He went on to explain how those casual yet insightful chats made a deep impression on him. “At the time, I was still figuring out my path. Hearing him talk about how acting is as much about mental preparation as it is about physical transformation helped me understand what it really takes to survive in this industry,” Sooraj said.
He also recalled Hrithik’s humility on set, despite his stardom. “He treated everyone with respect — whether it was a spot boy or an assistant like me. That taught me a lot about the kind of person I want to be, not just the kind of actor.”
Guzaarish marked a significant point in Hrithik’s career, as he took on one of his most challenging roles under the guidance of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. For Sooraj, being present during such a crucial production was nothing short of educational. “Watching Hrithik and Aishwarya bring those intense scenes to life made me understand the power of performance. You can learn acting in a classroom, but witnessing it on set — that’s a different kind of learning,” he added.
Reflecting on how that experience shaped him, Sooraj said, “Looking back, I feel lucky to have started my journey there. I didn’t know it then, but those moments were preparing me for what was to come.”
While Sooraj Pancholi has had his own share of ups and downs in the industry, he continues to credit his behind-the-scenes experience on Guzaarish as one of the most influential chapters in his early career. And in Hrithik Roshan, he found not just a star to admire, but a mentor whose words still guide him today.
“It’s easy to be in awe of Hrithik Roshan the superstar,” Sooraj concluded. “But I learned to respect Hrithik Roshan the human — and that’s something that stays with me.”
