Border 2 actor Paramvir Cheema recalls ‘shivering’ during his scene with Sunny Deol: ‘He is a very big star’
In an exclusive interview, Border 2 actor Paramvir Cheema said he was initially hesitant to sign the film, fearing he might get 'wasted' in an ensemble cast.
Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahaan Shetty starrer Border 2 has emerged as a hit at the box office, earning over Rs 300 crore worldwide. The film also features Paramvir Cheema in a strong supporting role. In a recent conversation with SCREEN, Paramvir opened up about working on the film, revealing that he was initially reluctant to take on the project. He also recalled feeling nervous about sharing screen space with Sunny, Varun and Diljit.
Talking about his initial hesitation to sign Border 2, Paramvir shared, “As an actor, I am always conscious about not getting typecast. I want people to see different versions of me as an actor. I like to be called a versatile actor. I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra’s office informing me about the audition for Border 2. My first doubt was that it’s a big cast, will I be seen? I didn’t want to be wasted. The second question was whether they wanted me to tie a turban. Initially, they wanted me to wear the turban. I asked the casting guy if we could skip wearing the turban. He said they will see after the audition. I gave the audition for Border 2 wearing a turban. Later, I was called to Anurag Sir’s office, and he asked me what issue I had with wearing a turban. When I told him my reason, he agreed and asked me if I would be able to speak Haryanvi. We did a reading, he hugged me, and said welcome on board.”
‘I was worried working with Varun Dhawan’
Paramvir Cheema said he was initially stressed about his on-screen dynamic with Varun Dhawan, with whom he shared most of his scenes in Border 2. “Most of my scenes in the film are with Varun, and a few scenes with Sunny Sir. In the beginning, I was a little worried, since Varun is a very big star, his father is a big director, and I didn’t know how he would be on the sets. Because if there was the slightest of friction, it could impact the scenes. But within 2-3 days, we started getting along very well. The ice broke when we started playing cricket. On our off days, we would play cricket in the hotel. His team would call me and ask me to join them. In the beginning, I didn’t go downstairs, so Varun called up one day and requested me to join them,” Paramvir shared.
He added, “We used to discuss a lot of things. At that time, Black Warrant had released. He saw the show and liked my work. So he complimented me for that. Even when his wife came on set, he made me meet her. One day, I was doing a scene, and my spot boy told me that Varun was leaving, and he stopped. He came back only to see my scene.”
‘Sunny Deol is very shy’
Paramvir Cheema also reflected on working with Sunny Deol in Border 2, revealing that his hands were shaking during one particular scene. He said, “We have been seeing Sunny Deol for years, and he has a very big aura. There was always that build-up, more like a countdown, that Sunny Sir was going to come on set soon. Sunny Deol is a quiet person; he is very shy. But when you see him on the monitor, that’s when you can feel what Border is all about. I had a scene with him. I had to walk a long distance and hand him the flag, and there was a conversation. My hands were shivering when I entered the scene. I gave him the flag, and after that, I was lost in the scene. I would just recall the dialogue he was speaking in my head.”
Lastly, Paramvir spoke about the challenges of being part of an ensemble cast as a newcomer. He said, “Of course, that fear of standing out in an ensemble is always there. When you work with such big actors, you know that people will come to watch them. So the challenge is how to leave an impact on the audience. There is no point if I do a part and not even get noticed in it.”
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
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Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
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Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
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With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More
Paramvir Cheema recalls working with Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan in Border 2. (Photos: Paramvir Cheema/Instagram)