What first drew you into acting?

“There was a time when I had nothing-I didn’t even know how to speak well, I came from a small village and had zero confidence. But despite all that, there was one thought that kept me going: I want to be an actor. That single dream pulled me forward.”

For Ravinder, acting was more than ambition-it became his karambhoomi, his sacred calling. “This profession gives me happiness, peace, and purpose. That’s why I kept getting drawn to it, again and again.”

How did you emotionally and mentally prepare for this role?

In Zora, I play Ranjeet-the main lead. His father is murdered by Zora, In real life, I’ve lost my own father. He was the person I loved most in this world. That personal grief became the emotional foundation for my performance. I didn’t have to act the pain-it came naturally. I brought my real emotions into the role, and that made it feel deeply authentic. My father might not be physically here but he was always with me in spirit while doing the film.

Who has been your biggest influence-within or outside the industry?

“My father has always been my hero,” says Ravinder Kuhar with quiet pride. “I’m exactly like him-his resilience, his spirit, his values. He’s been my biggest influence and my constant source of motivation. He also wanted to act. I once dreamt of him telling me, If you live your dream, I’ll live mine too. That has stayed with me. Every step I take in this journey feels like I’m fulfilling both our dreams.”

As an actor, how do you deal with rejection or criticism?

“I see my flaws more clearly than anyone else. In many ways, I’m my own worst critic. I’m rarely satisfied, but when I know I’ve given my best, I also believe no one else can do what I do. During rehearsals, I struggled. My acting coach wasn’t happy with my performance at first. We even had a few arguments. But once the camera rolled, I delivered ten times better. Maybe it’s shyness or something about the energy of being in character on set-but that’s when I truly come alive.”

Who are you when you’re not an actor? Any hobbies or rituals that bring you peace?

“I’m a very simple person,” says Ravinder Kuhar. “Not very social. I’m family-oriented, and my circle is really small-just two or three people. But they matter a lot to me.”

When he’s not working, Ravinder finds joy in the quiet moments-”I like spending time with my family, travelling with them to the mountains or peaceful places. I talk to God, I do my work, I stay close to the people I love. I enjoy weight training, running, working on stamina. I’m always trying to be better. In this industry, it’s important to look a certain way-but beyond that, I genuinely enjoy the discipline.”

What was your first reaction when you read the script? Did you immediately feel connected to it?

“When I first heard the script, I was instantly moved. Rajeev sir, who’s a celebrated director known for giving blockbusters, narrated the story to me over the course of 18 hours. He’s incredibly precise and detailed in his approach. That level of involvement itself was a big deal for me.”

Though he humbly says, “I’m not a genius. But when it comes to scripts and films, my mind becomes very active. The story deeply touched me-especially because it revolves around a father-son relationship. I lost my own father, and this script felt personal. It was like life aligning art.”

What was the most challenging scene to shoot, and why?

“The most challenging scene was the pre-climax. It was a massive sequence-crafted with precision and intelligence by Rajeev sir and Rashid sir. They guided me through every detail. I had to hold the audience’s attention for 3-4 minutes straight. Everything the film had been building toward had to come together in that moment. I could literally feel my father’s presence during that scene. It was done in a single take. Around 200 lines, one continuous shot. Neither I nor the team felt the need to do it again-it was perfect in that one go. That moment still gives me goosebumps.”

What’s one dream role you’re still waiting to play?

“Honestly, I’ve already lived my dream role in Zora. I’ve served in the Haryana Police, and it was always a dream to play a strong, grounded policeman on screen-someone who reflects who I am in real life.” He adds, “I’ve always wanted to portray an angry young man with purpose and intensity. That’s exactly what I got to do in Zora. It wasn’t just a role-it felt like a part of me.”

If you weren’t an actor, what would you be doing today?

“I would’ve been in the Haryana Police, doing police work,” Ravinder says without hesitation. “That was my life before acting-and I was proud of it. Serving the force gave me discipline, purpose, and strength, all of which I’ve carried into my work as an actor.”

Your favourite actors and favourite movies?

“Salman Khan has always been my favourite,” says Ravinder Kuhar. “There’s something about his screen presence and attitude that’s unmatched.”

When it comes to films, he’s especially fond of Mohra, directed by Rajeev Rai-the same director behind Zora.