Arpit Ranka had always wanted to appear alongside Ajay Devgn on the big screen. After a short stint in TV and films from the south, the model-turned-actor finally got the chance to fulfil his longtime dream with his Bollywood debut in Ajay-Tabu-starrer Bholaa.

The former Mr India recently revealed that a Lord Shiva connection helped him bag the role in the Ajay-helmed movie, which hit the theatres on March 30. “I auditioned for Bholaa. During that time, I also got a chance to visit the Mahakal temple in Ujjain. Five days after that visit, I got a call to visit Ajay sir’s office for the part in Bholaa. There’s an idol of Mahakal in the office. Also, my first day of the shoot was on the set where there was a big idol of Mahakal (where one of the action sequences in the film takes place),” he said.

But it was not the first time Arpit met his ‘hero’ Ajay Devgn. He met the Bollywood star on the set of the dance reality show Nach Baliye. “I met Ajay Sir seven years ago on the sets of Nach Baliye. I was his fan even before that but when I saw him for the first time in real life, I was blown away by his simplicity,” he recalled.

“There’s no better feeling than getting a chance to work with your hero. It was a dream come true for me,” the actor added.

In Bholaa, Arpit has a big action sequence where he had to pull Tabu’s hair quite mercilessly. Sharing his experience of shooting that scene, the 40-year-old actor said he was really worried about enacting that sequence. “ I was worried about pulling Tabu ma’am’s hair during the action sequence because I felt that she should not get hurt. But she said, ‘Arpit the more forcefully you’ll pull my hair the more it will help me react naturally.’”

Arpit added that Ajay helped him with his dialogue delivery, body language and expressions. Both Devgn and Tabu made him feel comfortable on the shoot. “Every role is challenging but I was so happy to be working with such huge stars like Ajay Devgn and Tabu that it didn’t feel like a challenge. Those 15-20 days passed too quickly.”

Asked how Ajay had inspired him during the filming of Bholaa, Arpit said, “Ajay Sir would not rest even for a while during our shifts from 6pm to the next morning. He was acting, directing, and even operating the camera sometimes. It was highly motivating. Watching him so full of energy made me feel that I should give my 200 per cent for this role.”

Talking about his Bollywood debut in a film directed and headlined by one of his heroes, Arpit said the entire experience was immensely satisfactory and humbling. “The appreciation I have received after Bholaa’s release is a different feeling. I have not been able to sleep at night — in a good way. Making your Bollywood debut is one thing and making your debut opposite a superstar is another. Meri Khushi ka thikana nahin hai.”