Arshad Warsi on Rajkumar Hirani: 'He has faith in me as an actor'
Synopsis
Arshad Warsi says Rajkumar Hirani 'started and restarted' his career — and now, for a third time, they are back together. 'Pritam and Pedro', Hirani's first-ever streaming project, also marks his son Vir Hirani's acting debut. It drops on JioHotstar on 3 July.
Key Takeaways
Arshad Warsi is collaborating with Rajkumar Hirani for the third time on the show 'Pritam and Pedro' .
The show marks Rajkumar Hirani's debut in the streaming space, created and produced by him.
It is directed by Avinash Arun and also stars Vikrant Massey , Boman Irani , and Mona Singh .
Vir Hirani , Rajkumar Hirani's son, makes his acting debut with this series. 'Pritam and Pedro' streams on JioHotstar from 3 July .
Actor Arshad Warsi has opened up about his long-standing creative partnership with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, describing the director as someone who consistently pushes him to explore different facets of his craft. The actor, who is now collaborating with Hirani for the third time, says the trust placed in him has been a defining element of his career.
A Bond Built on Creative Trust
Reflecting on what makes working with Hirani special, Warsi said the filmmaker gives him the freedom to take on varied, challenging parts rather than typecast him. In his own words: 'I think all actors who get a chance to work with Raju are blessed really, I have been fortunate to do that twice and this is the third time. I think Raju has a little faith in me as an actor. He gives me various things to do. And I like it, I enjoy it. I am waiting for some more to come.'
Notably, Warsi has credited Hirani not just with launching his career but also with helping him revive it — a rare acknowledgement that speaks to the depth of their professional relationship.
About 'Pritam and Pedro'
The new collaboration comes in the form of 'Pritam and Pedro', an oddball sitcom that marks Rajkumar Hirani's debut in the streaming space. The show is directed by Avinash Arun and created and produced by Hirani, and it also marks the acting debut of Hirani's son, Vir Hirani.
The ensemble cast includes Arshad Warsi, Vikrant Massey, Boman Irani, and Mona Singh. The series is set to stream on JioHotstar from 3 July.
Warsi on Playing Pedro
Warsi has described his character as unlike anyone he has encountered in real life. He said: 'Pritam And Pedro is special to me in multiple ways. For starters, I love working with Raju. He means a lot to me. In a way, he started my career and he helped me restart my career. I never imagined the little boy I was holding in my arms, one day we would be sharing the screen together. I enjoyed playing Pedro, he is one rare guy. I am yet to meet someone like him, you'll realise when you see him.'
The reference to holding Vir Hirani as a child — and now sharing the screen with him — adds a personal dimension to what is already a milestone project for the Hirani family.
What to Watch For
'Pritam and Pedro' arrives as one of the more anticipated streaming releases of the season, given Hirani's track record with ensemble comedies. Whether the format translates from cinema to episodic streaming will be closely watched by both the industry and audiences when the show goes live on 3 July on JioHotstar.
Point of View
And how director loyalty is rarer than it looks. Hirani's move into streaming with an ensemble sitcom is a significant pivot; his theatrical films have relied on the big-screen communal experience. Whether his storytelling sensibility — warm, humanist, broadly accessible — translates to episodic format is the genuine creative question 'Pritam and Pedro' will answer. The casting of his own son alongside veterans like Warsi and Boman Irani also warrants scrutiny: industry nepotism debates have intensified, and Hirani's credibility will partly rest on whether Vir Hirani earns his place on screen.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Pritam and Pedro' and when does it release?
'Pritam and Pedro' is an oddball sitcom created and produced by Rajkumar Hirani, directed by Avinash Arun, and starring Arshad Warsi, Vikrant Massey, Boman Irani, and Mona Singh. It streams on JioHotstar from 3 July.
Why is 'Pritam and Pedro' significant for Rajkumar Hirani?
The show marks Rajkumar Hirani's first venture into the streaming space, a major departure from his theatrical filmmaking career. It also features the acting debut of his son, Vir Hirani.
How many times has Arshad Warsi worked with Rajkumar Hirani?
'Pritam and Pedro' is the third collaboration between Arshad Warsi and Rajkumar Hirani. Warsi has said he considers himself fortunate to have worked with the filmmaker repeatedly.
What did Arshad Warsi say about playing Pedro?
Warsi described Pedro as 'one rare guy' he has yet to meet anyone like in real life, calling the role and the project special to him on multiple levels, including the personal significance of sharing the screen with Vir Hirani, whom he once held as a child.
