Puneet Singh on Anurag Kashyap’s Aura: ‘I Was So Scared, But He’s the Sweetest!

Bollywood's rising star Puneet Singh’s journey into acting is nothing short of cinematic. An alumnus of the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), Puneet once had dreams of becoming an IAS officer, following in the footsteps of his father, an ex-police officer. However, destiny had other plans. Today, he is making a name for himself in the entertainment industry.  

While Puneet has worked with several acclaimed directors, one experience that left a lasting impact on him was working with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the upcoming web series Civil Lines. Talking about their first meeting, Puneet shared,  

On the set of Civil Lines, I met Anurag Kashyap sir for the first time, and I was so scared. I don’t even know why. His aura is so huge that everyone on set was nervous around him. But once I interacted with him, I realized he is the sweetest, most innocent, and bravest director I have ever met. I learned so many things from him, and I carry those lessons with me in every project I work on.  

Puneet was also left in awe of Kashyap’s work ethic. Whether he was in the frame or not, he gave his best as an actor and supported his co-stars with full sincerity. His dedication shocked and inspired me, Puneet recalled.  

Talking about Puneet’s journey in the industry, it has been anything but easy. For the uninitiated, he first auditioned for Mirzapur Season 1 but wasn’t selected. He then auditioned for Mirzapur 2 and got selected, but unfortunately his scene was edited out. However, his persistence paid off when he auditioned for Mirzapur 3 and landed a significant role in the now-viral Chacha-Bhatija scene.

His biggest breakthrough came with the hit show Thukra Ke Mera Pyar, where he was initially cast as the lead hero, Kuldeep. However, midway through his preparation, producer and writer Kamal Pandey called him with an unexpected request, would he be willing to play the lead antagonist, Pushkar Chauhan?!

"I panicked for an hour or two, but my dreams are too big to let fear stop me. I had already lost weight to play the hero, and now I had to bulk up again for the antagonist’s role. The physical transformation was tough, but I took it as a challenge. And it paid off, this role brought me immense fame all over India."

With an impressive lineup of projects and a growing fanbase, Puneet Singh is carving a niche for himself in the industry. He has already left a mark with performances in Thukra Ke Mera Pyar, Mirzapur S3, Garmi, Helmet, Asur 2, Brahmastra, and UP65.  

Now, he is gearing up for his next big release, Ghamasaan, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. "This will be my second project as a parallel lead with Tigmanshu sir, and I am beyond excited, Puneet shared."

His transition from a government aspirant to a promising actor proves that passion, perseverance, and the right opportunities can lead to unexpected yet fulfilling journeys.