Shiv Panditt’s stellar performance in ‘Khuda Haafiz’ receives applause from acclaimed filmmakers!

Actor Shiv Panditt’s portrayal as ‘Faiz Abu Malik’ in Faruk Kabir’s ‘Khuda Haafiz’ has been appreciated by the audience. From multiple fan pages on social media to appreciation by critics, Shiv as ‘Faiz’ has hit the bull’s eye.

Now, a few acclaimed filmmakers have come together and shared their experience of working alongside the talented actor.

Filmmaker Faruk Kabir (Khuda Haafiz), who is the man behind Shiv’s ‘Faiz Abu Malik’ act, says “Shiv is a lot more talented than he realises and is a complete director’s actor. I like working with actors who surrender themselves to the character and Shiv works exactly like that! I feel Shiv has a lot of potential in him to play different characters and I hope he gets those opportunities soon”.

While Faruk is Shiv’s latest director, filmmaker Vishnu Varadhan (Shershaah), who has directed Shiv in the upcoming Dharma Productions film says “Shiv’s potential as an actor is very underestimated. There is so much such liveliness and innocence in that boy. He is a good person and has a very important role in ‘Shershaah’. The best thing about him is that you can push him to any limit because he is flexible as an actor. He wants complete information and the beauty of him coming and asking you questions about the character is very nice. It’s a fabulous trait in him as an artist”.

Producer Ashwin Varde (Boss, Kabir Singh), who last worked with Shiv in the film ‘Boss’, says “I had seen Shiv in the film ‘Shaitan’ and he is an extraordinary actor so there was never any doubt about his potential. After he was signed for ‘Boss’, I remember telling him that his biggest challenge in the film would be to engage and hold the audience for almost 35 minutes single-handedly, until the time Akshay Kumar came on screen and he did that so well! I can confidently say that Shiv is an all-round actor, what we call a star performer”.

Through his quirky TV character ‘Chief Inspector Hanuman Prasad Pandey’, Shiv has found an elder brother and ardent admirer in the show’s director. Director Shashank Bali (F.I.R, Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain!) says “I have worked with numerous talented actors, but Shiv’s capability sets him apart. I keep telling Shiv that he has a strong comic potential and God given spontaneity. He is blessed with a natural surprise element on his face which evokes great laughter on screen.”

Going back to his 2011 Bollywood debut ‘Shaitan’, Shiv was not only nominated at the Filmfare Awards for ‘Best Male Debut’ but his character portrayal of ‘Dash’ in the Bejoy Nambiar directorial is fondly remembered by many till date. Bejoy Nambiar (Shaitan, Wazir) after watching ‘Khuda Haafiz’ is all praise for the actor and says “Shiv’s performance as ‘Faiz Abu Malik’ is fantastic. The way he takes on a character and the kind of effort he puts into the preparation of that character is commendable. Infact, during the filming of ‘Shaitan’ after a point it was difficult for me to differentiate between Shiv and his character Dash! I have keenly followed his work even after ‘Shaitan’ and I particularly liked one of his films ‘Loev’ where he has done an excellent job. I really like how Shiv immerses himself into every character that he plays”.

Shiv is currently collaborating with director Shujaat Saudagar (Rock On 2) on an interesting project, which the entire team is tight-lipped about. Talking about Shiv, Shujaat says “I feel Shiv’s major strength lies in understanding the overall narrative of a story, as it is just not all about his character to him but understanding and drawing from the other characters as well. I feel this aspect of his craft helps a director create a narrative that is complete. I was totally blown and impressed with Shiv’s portrayal of the character ‘Faiz Abu Malik’. It seemed like a very tricky part to play, especially with the Arabic accent and the mannerism of a foreigner in a Hindi language film but Shiv played the part with such conviction that you believe he is the character!”

Shiv will be seen next in ‘Shershaah’ alongside actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani. Can’t wait to see the talented actor back on screen!