Muzammil Ibrahim Praises Special Ops Director Neeraj Pandey: ‘Like a Man Crush, Genuine and Inspiring’
Bollywood
Actor Muzammil Ibrahim, known for his portrayal of Agent Avinash in the acclaimed series Special Ops, has opened up about his journey to the role and his deep admiration for director Neeraj Pandey.
Recalling how he was cast, Muzammil said the makers were already familiar with his earlier work. “Shivam sir had seen my performance in Dhokha and really appreciated it. We were supposed to collaborate on another film, but that didn’t happen. He has always been someone who recognises and supports genuine talent. When my audition took place, I ended up being the first choice for the role,” he revealed.
Over the course of the series, his association with Neeraj Pandey has strengthened, particularly during the making of Season 2. “Neeraj sir isn’t someone who speaks much or hands out compliments easily. But during the shoot, he told me that my role was expanded because the audience feedback about my performance was very positive. They took that into consideration and gave my character more presence. After Season 2, I can only hope that fans’ demands lead to even more development in future seasons,” he shared.
Describing his bond with Pandey as that of a mentor and mentee, Muzammil added, “I can call him anytime for guidance, like an elder brother. He’s incredibly genuine, someone I admire both as a professional and as a person. We are all in awe of him—he’s like a ‘man crush’ in the truest sense. Despite his success, he remains humble, avoids politics, and treats everyone with respect. That’s why the environment on his set is always positive—because of him.”