Arshad Warsi on Rajkumar Hirani: 'He started and restarted my career'
Synopsis
Arshad Warsi says Rajkumar Hirani 'started and restarted' his career — and now they're reuniting for Pritam and Pedro, Hirani's streaming debut on JioHotstar. With three releases in a single month, including Dhamaal 4 and Welcome To The Jungle, Warsi is having one of the busiest windows of his career.
Key Takeaways
Arshad Warsi credits Rajkumar Hirani with both launching and reviving his career at different stages.
Pritam and Pedro is Warsi and Hirani's third collaboration , after Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006).
The film marks Rajkumar Hirani's streaming debut and will premiere on JioHotstar on 3 July 2026 .
Warsi has three films releasing within weeks: Welcome To The Jungle (26 June), Pritam and Pedro (3 July), and Dhamaal 4 (10 July 2026).
The film also stars Vir Hirani , Rajkumar Hirani's son, sharing the screen with Warsi for the first time.
Actor Arshad Warsi has spoken candidly about his enduring bond with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, crediting him with not just launching his career but also reviving it at a pivotal moment. The remarks come ahead of Pritam and Pedro, Hirani's streaming debut, which reunites the two for the first time since Lage Raho Munnabhai in 2006.
A Bond That Spans Two Career Chapters
Reflecting on what Hirani means to him professionally, Warsi 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.'
The film also stars Vir Hirani — Rajkumar Hirani's son — marking a generational milestone for Warsi. 'I never imagined the little boy I was holding in my arms, one day we would be sharing the screen together,' he said, adding that his character Pedro is unlike anyone he has played before.
Three Releases in One Month
Warsi is navigating an unusually packed release window, with three films dropping within weeks of each other. Alongside Pritam and Pedro, he has Welcome To The Jungle and Dhamaal 4 lined up in quick succession. 'I feel blessed and excited as I look forward to 3 releases concurrently. I can't wait for the audience reactions to the characters I have portrayed,' he said.
On Dhamaal 4, Warsi expressed particular warmth: 'I am happy to be back with Javed, one franchise we do purely for kids. Adi-Manav have got so much joy in everyone's lives. We are blessed to be part of this franchise.'
Release Dates and Formats
Welcome To The Jungle is set for a theatrical release on 26 June, followed by Dhamaal 4 in cinemas on 10 July 2026. Pritam and Pedro will premiere digitally on JioHotstar on 3 July 2026 — marking Hirani's first foray into the streaming space.
The Hirani-Warsi Collaboration
This is the third collaboration between Warsi and Hirani, following Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) — both landmark films in Hindi comedy cinema. Warsi has already begun promotions for all three projects and is preparing for a back-to-back release sprint over the coming weeks.
Point of View
Where careers hinge on franchise luck and director loyalty, a single filmmaker can define an actor's entire arc. The Munnabhai films gave Warsi cultural permanence that most contemporaries never found. The more interesting question is whether Pritam and Pedro, a streaming debut for Hirani, signals a wider pivot by A-list directors toward OTT — and what that means for the theatrical comedy ecosystem that franchises like Dhamaal have long sustained.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Rajkumar Hirani shaped Arshad Warsi's career?
Arshad Warsi has said that Rajkumar Hirani both launched his career and helped revive it at a critical stage. Their collaboration on Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) are widely regarded as defining films in Warsi's career.
What is Pritam and Pedro and when does it release?
Pritam and Pedro is a film starring Arshad Warsi and Vir Hirani, directed by Rajkumar Hirani. It marks Hirani's streaming debut and will premiere on JioHotstar on 3 July 2026.
How many films does Arshad Warsi have releasing in 2026?
Arshad Warsi has three films releasing within weeks of each other in mid-2026: Welcome To The Jungle (26 June), Pritam and Pedro (3 July), and Dhamaal 4 (10 July).
Who is Vir Hirani and what is his role in Pritam and Pedro?
Vir Hirani is filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani's son. He co-stars with Arshad Warsi in Pritam and Pedro, marking the first time he and Warsi have shared the screen together.
What is Arshad Warsi's history with the Dhamaal franchise?
Arshad Warsi is a long-standing member of the Dhamaal franchise alongside Javed Jaffrey. Dhamaal 4 is the latest instalment, set for theatrical release on 10 July 2026.
