Raghav Juyal is like Mowgli, says co-star Niki Walia ahead of Bhai Tera Star Hai
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Key Takeaways
Actress Niki Walia has described her Bhai Tera Star Hai co-star Raghav Juyal as 'Mowgli' — raw, authentic, and unlike anyone she has encountered in the industry. The actress, who shares screen space with Juyal in the upcoming Bollywood film, opened up about their on-set chemistry and the instant bond they formed ahead of the film's release on 30 July.
Walia on Juyal: A Fan Long Before the Film
Walia made no secret of her admiration for Juyal, tracing it back to his early days on television. 'Oh my God, Raghav Juyal is an absolute jaan. I have loved him since the days of Dance India Dance, then as an anchor, and now as an actor. What I love about Raghav is that he's forever evolving. Just watching him perform on set was a delight,' she said.
Her appreciation deepened after watching him in the web series Ba*ds Of Bollywood. 'When I met him after watching Ba*ds Of Bollywood, I just hugged him and congratulated him. I honestly told him that, for me, he was the best actor in the entire series. Then I found myself working with him and sharing screen space with him. It was an amazing feeling,' she added.
The Geeta Kapur Connection That Broke the Ice
Despite meeting professionally for the first time on the sets of Bhai Tera Star Hai, the two actors clicked almost instantly — thanks to a shared bond with choreographer Geeta Kapur. 'It almost felt like I had known him forever because he has such an approachable vibe. We share a very dear common friend, Geeta Ma. He looks up to her, and he knows how close I am to her. We started talking about Geeta Ma right away, and that made everything so easy. Our rapport on the sets developed naturally,' Walia said.
Off-Set Dhamaal and the 'Mowgli' Comparison
The camaraderie, Walia revealed, extended well beyond the shooting floor. 'Off the sets, it was complete dhamaal. We had dinners together and would sit and chat even after pack-up. He is such a generous and large-hearted person. I always say he's like Mowgli. He's so authentic and raw at heart. In today's world, it is rare to meet someone who is so genuine, and that is what makes him truly special,' she said.
About Bhai Tera Star Hai
The film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Sanjay Kapoor, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Barkha Singh, Niharika NM, Vikalp Mehta, Vivan Bhatena, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Tina Desai, Vineeth Beep Kumar, Naser Al Azzeh, and Dev B. Agrawal. Directed by Vivek B. Agrawal and written by Sudipto Sarkar and Agrawal, the film is produced by Avantika Hari, Sunil Rupani, and Agrawal under the banner of Eastwood Pictures and Indian Stories 2. It is set for a theatrical release on 30 July.