Behzad Khan Recalls Intense Action with Sunny Deol in ‘Border 2’: “No Godfather in This Industry”

Actor Behzad Khan, who played the role of Pakistani scout leader Babur Khan in Border 2, shared his experiences on the sets of the action-packed film, which has crossed ₹400 crore worldwide. He spoke to Navbharat Times about his journey, his physically challenging role, and working alongside legendary actors like Sunny Deol, Ahan Shetty, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh.

Getting the Role in a Mega-Star Film
Behzad revealed that his casting in Border 2 came after his work in the film Fighter with Hrithik Roshan. “The casting team for Border 2 saw my performance in Fighter. They contacted the agency to check if I was ready for this role. Although my screen presence was about 8–9 minutes, it was a huge multi-star project. The challenge of sharing the screen with Sunny Deol immediately interested me,” he said.

Filming with Sunny Deol
Behzad described the action sequence with Sunny Deol as “very complicated.” The 8–9 minute sequence took 8–9 days to shoot, involving chases, jumps, and firing sequences. “Working with such a senior actor, someone I had idolized since childhood, was overwhelming. During our action scene, Sunny sir encouraged me to perform confidently and deliver a good shot, which motivated me a lot,” Behzad shared.

Typecasting and Industry Struggles
When asked about being typecast as Pakistani characters, Behzad said: “Being an outsider in this industry is tough. You have to prove your talent repeatedly. I don’t have any godfather here. I had to dig my own well and draw my own water. I’ve done many roles as Pakistani terrorists or soldiers, and I choose carefully which projects to take. It’s about proving yourself on set and in front of the camera.”

Working with Legendary Actors
Behzad praised Sunny Deol, Hrithik Roshan, and KK Menon as outstanding actors. “Although I worked with all three, I spent more time one-on-one with Sunny sir, so I would put him at the top. It was a huge learning experience.”

From Ghazipur to Bollywood
Born in the small town of Zamania in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, Behzad moved across various districts due to his father’s government transfers. After completing school in Aligarh, he moved to Delhi, pursued an IT degree, and nurtured his passion for acting through theatre and modeling.

Career Journey and Auditions
Behzad began his career around 2006–07, initially appearing in the Doordarshan show Ye Hawaein, where he played the son of Ravi Kishan’s character. Since then, he has gone through over 100 auditions and multiple rejections but has steadily built his career across TV, films, and web series.

Physically Demanding Action in ‘Border 2’
The actor revealed the toll of shooting in intense conditions: “This was the most physically challenging role of my life. Shooting in the scorching heat of May, we crossed jungles and borders, covering 10 kilometers. I suffered a hairline fracture in my heel and thumb. I couldn’t walk properly for one and a half months. It was a blood, sweat, and tears kind of sequence.”

Border 2, directed by Anurag Singh, has become one of the highest-grossing films of the year, and Behzad Khan’s intense performance as Babur Khan has been widely appreciated.