Last Updated:December 27, 2025, 19:05 IST

Chitrangada Singh praises Salman Khan’s authenticity and spontaneity while working on Battle of Galwan, calling him rare and unapologetically himself in Bollywood.

Chitrangada Singh has opened up about her experience working with Salman Khan in Battle of Galwan, calling the superstar refreshingly real and praising his zero-pretension approach in an industry full of façades.

Actor Chitrangada Singh, who will soon be seen alongside Salman Khan in the upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan, has spoken candidly about working with the superstar and what sets him apart in an industry she feels is often driven by appearances.

‘There Is Zero Pretension About Him’

In an interview with PTI, Chitrangada described Salman Khan as someone who is unapologetically himself, a quality she finds rare in show business.

“He is very tuned into what his fans want him to be, and he is exactly what his fans love. I don’t think he pretends to be anything else. The most amazing thing about him is that there is zero pretension… I’ve not come across anyone in the industry who has zero pretension, it’s this man,” she said.

Elaborating further, the actor explained how Khan’s comfort with his own identity reflects in the way he conducts himself on and off set.

“He is exactly who he is. He will speak when he wants to, he will be quiet for as long as he wants to be, if he wants to work out now, he will go and work out now,” she added.

‘In This Industry, People Often Wear Masks’

Chitrangada admitted that authenticity is difficult to maintain in an industry driven by perception, which is why she finds Salman’s approach admirable.

“It’s strange because in this industry, sometimes you do things for effect. I’ve admired something about him, it’s probably this. It’s very tough to do that. And I think that’s what his fans love him for because he is so real,” she said.

Spontaneity On Set And A Secure Performer

While she remained tight-lipped about the specifics of her role in Battle of Galwan, Chitrangada praised Salman’s spontaneous acting style and comfort with improvisation.

“He’s so secure, you could say anything and he loves to improvise. That’s the best thing. It’s like an ever-evolving scene till it’s finally okay. Till then, it just keeps evolving, I love that,” she said.

She added that this flexibility makes working with him an enjoyable experience for the entire cast.

“It’s just so much fun because everyone’s having fun. He changes a few things. So, there’s this spontaneity in the scene, which is so refreshing and he does it so effortlessly,” she noted.

‘That Effortlessness Comes From Experience’

Reflecting on his decades-long career, Chitrangada explained how that ease comes from constant engagement with the craft.

“When you do so much work or you’re constantly thinking or working on something, then it becomes effortless. So, I think he manages to do that even now,” she said.

A Missed Collaboration From The Past

Chitrangada also revealed that she was once set to collaborate with Salman Khan years ago, but the project never materialised.

“There was a film that he wanted to produce with Govinda ji. It was a remake of a Marathi film that Mahesh Manjrekar was going to direct. This would be like 2016–17. I don’t think we ever discussed work after that,” she shared.

What’s Next For Chitrangada Singh

The actor is currently receiving praise for her performance in Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders, directed by Honey Trehan. The film also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Ila Arun, Rajat Kapoor, Deepti Naval, and Revathi.

Meanwhile, Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China and is slated for release on April 17, 2026.