Saali Mohabbat EXCLUSIVE! Anshuman Pushkar Says Tisca Chopra Gave Him 'Completely Authority As Actor To...'

ZEE5 Saali Mohabbat: What a fantastic year it has been for content on streaming platforms! Earlier this month, ZEE5 presented a 'hatke' suspense thriller that marked Tisca Chopra's directorial debut. While the actress is winning hearts for her impressive direction, the cast is equally getting all the attention for power-packed performances.

At Filmibeat, we love interacting with talented artists who are passionate about their craft. As we engaged in a fun-filled conversation with Anshuman Pushkar, he bared his heart out about his approach towards playing different roles and how Tisca Chopra gave him the authority to explore as an actor in her film.

In an exclusive tête-à-tête with Filmibeat Chief Copy Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Anshuman spoke about his takeaway as an artist while working for Saali Mohabbat. He also got candid about his performances in 2025 as he reflected on a successful year.

Here are excerpts from the interview-

Q- Maalik, Delhi Crime 3, Saali Mohobbat- one year, so many different characters. What a beautiful year it has been for showcasing your acting skills. How do you reflect on the year?

Look, as an actor, it is very, like you said, it is a very satisfying space when you are on the screen, you are on different platforms, and you are coming with different characters. You are working in a franchise which has, you know, a very good name in Emmy also. So this is that kind of space. Any actor will feel very satisfied, very, very safe in that sense, that you are trying different multiple variations of characters and the public is accepting you in every way. So somehow you get confidence, somehow you feel very elevated by the praises you get from the audience. It is definitely a space that intrigues you, that inspires you to go one mile ahead with a different kind of energy, uplifted energy.

Q- Saali Mohbbat is not your normal suspense thriller; it keeps you on the edge of your seat. What was your biggest takeaway as an artist from the film?

Like I said, as an actor, you want to explore every, every kind of color, every kind of character, whether it is dark, grey, or a positive one.

But in Saali Mohabbat, there are certain inhibitions you have, whether this will land or not land, you approach that thing and that inhibition keeps you on edge. It keeps you on edge to work a little hard to find the right tonality of that thing, and also the right kind of approach.

When I was approaching this movie, I knew that I had never done this kind of character, which has different shades of layers. Sometimes he's rude, sometimes he's very loving, sometimes he's his lover boy, sometimes he's lost and a gone case.

So in one character, there are multiple complexities and with different, different people, he is a different person. So altogether, it is a very intriguing and inspiring character. The kind of praises I'm getting, the kind of approvals I'm getting, is very satisfactory as an actor.

Q- Tisca Chopra made her Directorial debut with the film. How was your experience working with her? Would you also like to helm the director's hat someday?

No, I don't think so. Because I see myself as an actor. Yes, I might want to direct, and see another aspect, but not right now, maybe in future, and I don't know about it. So I don't want to think about it right now. I still, I have to, you know, I have to achieve so many things.

I have to do so many things as an actor first. And then only I can see whether I have to go for direction, or go for writing or go for any other career option.

Working with Tisca Chopra was bliss. She is brilliant and gave me complete authority as an actor to explore. She gave me a clear vision as an actor as we worked together.

So, as an actor, she converted herself; she also took her time and explored herself completely. I would also like to establish myself as an actor once, then after that I would definitely want that if something looks like this or intrigues me or I feel that I have to explore something new in life, then definitely I would like to see that part of that, but not right now. .

Q- Your role of Pankaj Tiwari was well-layered. What's your approach towards playing the characters that leave a strong impact on the audience?

Look, you don't know what the audience will like. So, you don't think what the audience will like or not while you are essaying that character. You see things around; there is something written in the script and that is the ultimate Bible for you. You take references of life, you take references from people, and also certain relationships and the outcome of it.

When I was approaching that character, I was looking at those things only, not what the audience would like. As an actor, you just want to find the truth of it, find the realism of it, and you approach accordingly. So, I did the same. I was thinking to find the truth, thinking to find the reality of it, and bring the reality during the takes. That is the only thing I was looking for at that time, and somehow it landed. So, it's a blessing right now that people are praising and giving me a good response to it.

Saali Mohabbat is available for streaming only on ZEE5.