Saqib Ayub, who was recently seen in the critically acclaimed film ‘Superboys Of Malegaon’, will soon step in the Telugu film industry with much anticipated release ‘HIT 3’. Starring Nani and Srinidhi Shetty in the lead roles, Saqib will be seen in a pivotal role in HIT 3. In an interview with News24, the actor shares his experience of working with Nani, stepping into Telugu cinema and more.
Revealing how his experience was different in the Telugu industry than Bollywood, Saqib tells us, “It was a great experience because the Telugu film industry works in a completely different way compared to Bollywood. There’s the hierarchy system, the chain of command. All of the logistics of the Telugu industry are very different from how it is in Bollywood. Being a non-Telugu speaker, I kind of feel like an out-of-place person. They would all converse and talk in Telugu and I would not understand most of it obviously. But they were really kind and sweet enough to make sure that they talk in English once in a while when they were around me.”
Further praising director Sailesh Kolanu, he adds, “And the director, Sailesh Gulado, he would explain to me everything in English. Both of them are pretty good in Hindi as well. The experience was fun. It’s my first Telugu film. Luckily, my character is a Hindi-speaking character, so I didn’t really have to have the problem of not knowing the language. But I really hope that it just opens up more doors and I’m very open to learning the language also, of course. Because the industry down south is also doing some phenomenal work.”
Talking about how he got the part in HIT 3 and the difference in Tollywood and Bollywood, Saqib reveals, “In the Telugu industry, they don’t really audition as such. They just give you a narration, they lead you and see if you fit the part. If the director wants you, he takes you. I think they cast you on merit more than your test, I would say. And acting-wise also, there is not much of a difference. They just wanted me to do my thing with real honesty and believability.”
When asked about his experience of working with Nani, Saqib recalls his conversation with him. He shares, “Nani sir asked me if I have a theatre background, looking at my performance and I said I do have a theatre background. He was like yes I can see it in your work and you are really good. So let’s see maybe I could be a part of Nani sir’s upcoming project as well.”
HIT 3 also stars Adil Pala, Rao Ramesh, Brahmaji, and Maganti Srinath in the pivotal roles. The movie will release on May 1, 2025.
