From dramatic thrillers to joyful ensemble comedies, Kubbra Sait continues to defy expectations with every role she takes on. Now, as she steps into the vibrant, larger-than-life world of Son of Sardaar 2, she brings with her not just laughter and sass but also soul. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, Kubbra opens up about finding her comic rhythm, bonding with co-stars like Mrunal Thakur and Ajay Devgn, experimenting with fashion, and embracing the chaos of creativity—both on set and off
Highlighted quote: I think when you get a film that doesn’t need an introduction, it’s a winner. Back then—12 years ago—I didn’t even understand box office numbers. But the name Son of Sardaar was enough. Just the fact that Ajay Devgn was in it made it a win.
Tejal Sinha
When Kubbra Sait first watched Son of Sardaar over a decade ago, she had no idea that one day she’d be part of its roaring, riotous sequel. Cut to today—she’s not just stepping into a beloved franchise, she’s bringing a storm of laughter, style, and soul along with her. Known for her intense, layered performances, Kubbra is now embracing chaos, comedy, and camaraderie in Son of Sardaar 2, and loving every bit of it.
“Just the name Son of Sardaar was enough to say yes,” she recalls, eyes lighting up. But what followed wasn’t just another film—it was a whirlwind of dhol lessons, fashion experiments, sisterhood with Mrunal Thakur, butter chicken in Scotland, and unforgettable moments with Ajay Devgn. In a chat that is as candid and colourful as her character, Kubbra takes us through a journey that celebrates fun, friendship, and fearless self-expression.
Today, her journey from gritty, hard-hitting roles to a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud ensemble film is one that brims with joy, gratitude, and growth.
“I think when you get a film that doesn’t need an introduction, it’s a winner,” Kubbra reflects, beaming. “Back then—12 years ago—I didn’t even understand box office numbers. But the name Son of Sardaar was enough. Just the fact that Ajay Devgn was in it made it a win.” She smiles, remembering her reaction to being cast. “You walk into a world that’s charming, exciting, and current. You meet the team, you read the fun script, and everything just clicks. It wasn’t a difficult decision. This was one of those rare projects where I truly enjoyed every moment of the process.”
From being a wide-eyed audience member to becoming a part of a franchise that has attained cult status, Kubbra’s excitement is palpable. “You want me to be nervous or what?” she laughs. “I’m happy. This is nice! Imagine finding a script that lets you take a character’s story to a new country, with new flavours, and tell a modern, relevant story. That’s a great win.”
Known for her powerhouse performances in intense, layered roles (Sacred Games, anyone?), Kubbra embraces the comedic space with open arms. And if you’re wondering how she navigated that shift, she gives full credit to the collective energy on set.
“Comedy isn’t a solo sport. It’s all about the energy in the room,” she explains. “It gets better with rehearsal and collaboration. We’d be bouncing off ideas constantly—‘Main yeh bhi kar leta hoon,’ ‘Main yeh karoon kya?’—and suddenly something magical would happen, and we’d all agree, ‘Woh kar jo kiya tha!’” She recalls with admiration how Ajay Devgn once said, “If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage,” adding, “Everything in comedy needs to be written, rehearsed, and shaped.”
She praises the unsung heroes of the set, too. “We had diction coaches, like Rajinder ji, who was everywhere—even the continuity guy pitched in. He’d teach us how to deliver our lines just right. That kind of effort and collaboration—it shows. Even now, when we meet for events like the trailer launch, the bond is still strong. This was the only set where I thought, ‘Wow, are we not going to see each other again?’ That’s how close we became.”
One might think comedy shoots are all about unpredictability and improvisation, but Kubbra reveals that it was a beautifully disciplined space that encouraged experimentation. “It was a set where good actors came together—Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur, Deepak Dobriyal, Ravi Kishan, and Roshni Walia. Everyone brought their A-game. And no one was in a rush. That’s rare. Everyone was involved. Everyone was chill.”
Working with Ajay Devgn, someone known for his understated charisma, was another highlight. “He’s got this old-school charm. He brings people together and watches out for them—without even trying. It’s just who he is,” she says warmly. “When your leader leads with kindness, you treat everyone with love and respect. His entire team has been with him for over 25 years. Even his nephew, Danish Devgn, who’s brimming with ideas, became a dear friend. There was no generation gap—just camaraderie.”
And yes, there was a pinch-me moment too. “It was when I saw him dance!” Kubbra laughs. “I’m a chill person. I get excited by stories, and I ask a lot of questions. I’m grateful to work with people who are open and willing to answer them.”
Among the many bonds Kubbra formed on set, her friendship with Mrunal Thakur stood out. “Our characters are family and friends in the film—and that spirit carried through off-screen too,” she shares. “We learnt how to play the dhol together. We had five-hour practice sessions. We’d pack each other’s fingers when they hurt. We helped each other learn. That’s the kind of space we were in.”
What brought them even closer were the real-life moments they navigated side by side. “Mrunal was dealing with her father being unwell—we were all there for her. On days I felt homesick, she was there for me. It was all very real, very normal, and very beautiful,” Kubbra says with genuine fondness. “She’s a Leo. I’m a Leo. We celebrated each other’s birthdays on set. And in the end—it’s just girl things, bro!”
Much of the film was shot in Scotland, and while not much has been shared online, Kubbra has a treasure trove of memories from that time. “We’ve kept the Scotland trip under wraps—but it was magical,” she teases. “We landed in Edinburgh right when the Fringe Festival was starting. I watched every Indian comic perform, saw international artists, ate gelato in the rain, tried different cuisines.”
She laughs, recalling how Ajay Devgn once quipped, “What are you complaining about? You didn’t work only! You came here to have fun.” And she agrees. “That was true! Ravi Kishan started running because the weather was so good. Mrunal and I would go out to shows, go shopping—oh, I bought so much! I even discovered butter chicken in Scotland, and it was amazing.”
Of course, not every moment was smooth sailing. “One day during a song shoot, we lost our drone in the water—right in front of our eyes. Very scary,” she recalls.
Kubbra’s promotional looks—especially her mismatched earrings—have been turning heads. But is it her being quirky, or her channeling her character? “Everyone keeps asking me this!” she laughs. “My character is loud, fun, enthusiastic, and chill. She wears caps, big hair, and crazy accessories. I think it’s the loudest I’ve ever been on screen—and I loved it. I had a ring with a watch face on it, mismatched earrings throughout. Styling her was so much fun.”
Fashion, for Kubbra, is indeed a form of storytelling. “I couldn’t wear red lipstick five years ago. Now I love it—hot pink too! When you own your story, your past, your scars—that’s when you can explore the edges. You’re not trying to impress, you’re expressing.”
She heaps praise on the film’s stylist, Rajita. “She’s been dreaming of this since she was eight! Imagine the joy she brought to styling each character. Jassi, Arabia, Gul—each one so different. Even the guys got decked out. One pierced his ears, wore jhumkas, heels—then used Soframycin for the aftermath!”
From Ready to I Love NY, from Sacred Games to Son of Sardaar 2, Kubbra’s career is a study in range. What ties it all together?
“There’s a thread of good fortune. Of never giving up. Of trusting your intuition. And of accepting things that don’t go your way,” she reflects. “Not all my choices worked out, and that’s okay. But every project leads to the next. And we’ll always be sitting down to talk about the next one.”
As the camera stops rolling, what stays with her? “The mismatched earrings,” she laughs, “but more than that—the people. The energy. The memories.”
She gets a little emotional talking about her co-stars. “If you think my energy is infectious, spend a minute with Vindu Dara Singh. If you think I’m full of love, spend an hour with Mukul Dev—he was a man of so much heart, and we miss him terribly now. For grace, spend 45 days with Ajay Devgn. For kindness and resilience, watch Mrunal Thakur. And Roshni Walia—this is her first film! She’s doing music videos and Internet content, and now this… Can you imagine what she must be feeling?”
With heartfelt clarity, she adds, “I’ve seen a lot during this film—returns, losses, joy, and growth. And I know one thing—we’ll all remember each other with love and respect. That’s the biggest gift this film has given us.”
