‘I naturally fit the look of a police officer’:Shares Indore-based actor Kshitij Pawar who plays cop in his upcoming movie ‘Navagunjara’

There is a certain unpredictability about the entertainment industry. One moment an actor is standing in the background of a commercial shoot, observing legends at work and the next, he finds himself carrying an important role in a feature film. For Indore-based actor Kshitij Pawar, the journey has exactly been the same. A steady climb powered by curiosity and an eagerness to learn from every set has landed him a role in the upcoming film ‘Navagunjara’, where he plays a police officer.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Kshitij is playing a cop on screen, something he laughs about while reflecting on how he landed the role. “I was recommended for the role based on my previous performances as a police officer. Maybe I naturally fit the look,” he says. “At one point, I was slightly sceptical because I didn’t want to get typecasted. But the moment I heard the script, I was hooked,” he added during his candid conversation with Bhaskar English. What attracted him most was the layered storytelling of the film. ‘Navagunjara’ revolves around a chilling series of murders taking place across different states, where the accused strangely have no memory of committing the crimes. “The story has mystery elements which keep unfolding gradually. As an actor, those are the kind of scripts you enjoy being a part of,” he explains. The movie is set for theatrical release on 15 May.
Working with Salman Khan was the highlight Long before stepping into substantial film roles, Kshitij had already been a known name in the theatre world. One of his early memorable experiences came while working with Salman Khan in the movie ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ and later during the promotional shoot for the television show Dus Ka Dum. Kshitij admits he had a completely different perception of Salman Khan before meeting him. “I thought Salman Khan would be strict, but he was actually really fun to work with,” Kshitij recalls. “I had made a collage for him and when I gave it to him, he joked about Indore actors coming together for the film Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. That interaction stayed with me because he was very warm and spontaneous.”

The MS Dhoni experience However, some of the most valuable lessons have come not during performances, but in moments between shots, observing how established personalities conduct themselves on set. Kshitij particularly recalls being surprised by MS Dhoni during an advertisement shoot. “People obviously know him for cricket, but what amazed me was his technical understanding of camera and production,” Kshitij shares. “I remember him discussing shots with the director and suggesting how certain scenes could be executed better. It showed how deeply observant he is.” “Most stars prefer staying in their vanity vans between shots, but he chose to spend time interacting with co-actors and crew members. That simplicity is very rare at that level,” he says.
Ad shoot with RCB greats According to Kshitij, advertisement has been one of the biggest learning grounds of his career. Having appeared in numerous commercials over the years, he believes ad shoots teach actors discipline, timing and adaptability because everything moves at a rapid pace. One recent project that stood out for him involved sharing screen space with the veteran Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer. During the shoot, Kshitij even ended up sketching Rajat Patidar, something the RCB captain personally acknowledged. “That was a very unexpected moment,” he recalls. “I enjoy sketching whenever I get free time, so I made one during the break. When Rajat bhai appreciated it, it felt special.”

People only see the glamourous side of Bollywood Despite working alongside some of the biggest names in the country, Kshitij says the journey has never felt glamorous from the inside. Like most actors trying to build their space in the industry, it has involved uncertainty, auditions, rejections and constant self-belief. “People only see the final output on screen, but every actor has years of struggle behind those few minutes,” he says. “You keep learning, improving, and hoping for the next opportunity.”
Over the years, Kshitij has quietly built a portfolio across films, television, web series and advertising. From sharing screen space with stars like Salman Khan and MS Dhoni to working alongside personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly, the actor believes every project has added a new layer to his understanding of the craft.