Raashii Khanna Shares Insights About Ustaad Bhagat Singh, Says Working With Pawan Kalyan Was a Dream Come True

March 16, 2026 Published by rajeshe092eb6a68

After the sensational success of Gabbar Singh, Pawan Kalyan and director Harish Shankar have reunited for the much-awaited film Ustaad Bhagat Singh. The movie is being produced on a grand scale by Naveen Yerneni and Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar under the banner of Mythri Movie Makers.

The film features Raashii Khanna and Sreeleela as the female leads. Music for the film is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, while the background score is handled by S. Thaman. With the teaser, trailer, and songs already receiving a tremendous response, expectations for the film have soared ahead of its theatrical release on March 19, coinciding with the festive occasion of Ugadi.

“I Immediately Said Yes for Pawan Kalyan’s Film”

Speaking to the media recently, Raashii Khanna shared that she did not hesitate to join the project.

“My life is very busy right now. To be honest, the moment I heard it was Pawan Kalyan Garu’s film, I immediately said yes with great excitement—even before listening to the story,” she said.

The actress added that ever since her debut, she had heard about the phenomenon called “Pawanism” and always hoped to act alongside the star at least once. Ustaad Bhagat Singh, she said, fulfilled that long-standing wish.

A Modern Character Named Shloka

Raashii revealed that her character in the film is named Shloka, a modern girl with a strong presence in the story.

She also mentioned that she has a mass song in the film, which she particularly enjoyed shooting since she loves dancing.

Working With Pawan Kalyan

Sharing her experience working with Pawan Kalyan, Raashii described him as a humble and thoughtful person.

According to her, the actor often spends time reading books and speaks very little, but every word he says carries meaning. She recalled that on the first day of shooting, Pawan Kalyan asked her whether acting had always been her dream.

Raashii revealed that she once wanted to become an IAS officer, and during their conversation, Pawan Kalyan encouraged her to engage in public service as well. She added that she learned a lot about humanity from him.

She also spoke about witnessing the immense admiration of his fans during a film event.

“When I looked at the crowd from the stage, it felt like they were worshipping him like a god,” she said.

Praise for Director Harish Shankar

Raashii Khanna also praised director Harish Shankar, calling him a filmmaker who understands the pulse of mass audiences.

She noted that the director completed the shoot in just 40 days, a schedule that would typically take around 120 days. His dedication and ability to craft punch dialogues even during shooting impressed her greatly.

Managing Schedules and Screen Space

Addressing questions about sharing the screen with Sreeleela, Raashii clarified that both characters have distinct spaces in the film and do not appear together in scenes.

She also revealed that the team had to work according to Pawan Kalyan’s unpredictable schedules, sometimes shooting 24-hour shifts to complete portions on time.

Experience With Mythri Movie Makers

Raashii praised Mythri Movie Makers for their professional working environment and commitment to filmmaking.

She said the producers never compromise on budgets and provide directors with complete creative freedom. The actress expressed hope that she would collaborate with the banner again in the future.

What to Expect From the Film

Raashii believes Ustaad Bhagat Singh will offer entertainment similar to Gabbar Singh and described it as a family entertainer that audiences can enjoy together in theatres.

She also promised that fans will get to see “vintage Pawan Kalyan” on screen, which she feels will be a major highlight of the film during its Ugadi release.

Upcoming Projects

Talking about her future lineup, Raashii Khanna revealed that she is currently working on a Hindi film with Akshay Kumar and will also be part of Farzi Season 2.

In addition, she is acting in an Amazon series where she plays a Punjabi police officer, performing all her dialogues in Punjabi. In Tamil, she is working on a film titled Rowdy & Co., while also listening to new scripts in Telugu.