2024-05-04 09:14:23
Actor Prateik Gandhi, who got success with ‘Scam 1992‘, is in the news these days for the movie ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar‘. He talked about getting into comedy after playing an intense character. It was also told that romance is still there in their marriage even after 15 years.
Actor Prateek Gandhi, who has established his acting reputation in OTT, was also liked a lot on the big screen in ‘Madgaon Express‘. This actor, who has been brought up in theatre, is in the news these days with his new film ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’. Pratik, who became the hero of Vidya Balan and Ileana D’Cruz, will soon be seen as the hero of Yami Gautam and Taapsee Pannu. A conversation with him. Your work in your previous film ‘Margao Express’ was appreciated. After playing intense roles, you were seen in the color of comedy. How do you feel playing all kinds of roles?
-I have always loved comedy and I believe that comedy is also very difficult. I had played many comic characters in theatre, but I was doing slapstick humor for the first time on the big screen. I wanted to do this comedy with a director who understands it and I can say who could be better than Kunal Khemu. He has a deep understanding of comedy and the way he wrote the script was amazing. At the time of narration itself, I had decided that this script would work. To be honest, I am very happy with this phase of my career. For me this is a win win situation. I always wanted to do diverse work and the happy thing is that the audience is liking my work. This is the best time of my career. The biggest thing is that I am able to experiment without any fear, with different stories and characters. Soon you will see me in Woh Ladki Hai Kahan with Taapsee Pannu. There is a film of mine and Yami Gautam, Dhoomdham. I am doing another film Agni. I have also done a film with Tigmanshu Dhulia. All these films are ready and are almost in the last phase, so I can say that the wonderful phase of my career that started after the scam is continuing to move forward.
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Vidya Balan became a victim of ‘witch hunt’ in the industry, she had lost dozens of films due to the ‘wretched’ label.
Now roles are being written for you, but how was that period when you had to go through the pain of rejection?
pratik gandhi
-This phase went on for a very long time. You will be surprised to know that TV had completely rejected me. When I came to Mumbai in 2004, the era of TV was in full swing. Every week a new serial was launched. I used to think that there is so much work in TV, I will definitely get a role somewhere. I used to continuously give auditions and visit studios, but I never got a role. When I would go to ask for a role, they would expect a certain kind of physique or appearance, which I did not have. The matter could not even reach the performance. I used to get rejected at the very first step. My challenges lasted a long time. I had a good corporate job and was doing well in it, but I had a passion for acting, but due to responsibilities I was not able to leave the job. While working, I was also getting the opportunity to go abroad, but I wanted to fulfill my passion. I took 20 days leave from my job and did a film, Wrong Side Raju. I could not participate in the promotion due to my job. The film also received the National Award. Then in 2016 I decided I had to leave my job and fully embrace acting.
You have worked in Gujarati plays like ‘Mohan No Masalo’, ‘Hoon Chandrakant Bakshi’ and Hindi plays like ‘Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon’. How much did theater strengthen your acting base?
-Reinforced in every way. I learned something from all the stories I did. On stage, I was able to pay a lot of attention to the small details of the character. I go through a thorough research every time. I learned conviction and discipline from theatre. Learned when to move forward as an actor and when to stop. Also know that I am not the only one who deserves all the applause. A selflessness came in me from plays.
In your film ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’ you talk about cheating in marriage, but how do you view cheating in real life? What if you have to go through a situation like the movie?
-Look, the word cheating is bad in itself. Be it in work or emotions. But in the film, we are talking about a couple whose love has probably dried up inside and they have set out to find love outside and then the situation comes such that they start loving each other again. This situation is so complex that it is difficult to call it good or bad or black and white, only the one who is in this situation can understand. We can sit and pass any judgment, but we will have to step into their shoes and think why and how it might have happened? I would never want to get into this situation. I shudder just thinking about it. If you have two job letters, it becomes difficult for you to choose between them, then it is two boat rides, which is even more difficult.
It is generally said that romance ends after marriage, do you also believe so?
Pratik with wife Bhamini
-not at all. I have been married for 15 years and I don’t feel like this at all. Romance is still intact in my marriage, but I can understand why romance would fade away in someone else’s marriage. When you start taking relationships too much for granted, when you stop communicating with your partner, that is the beginning of distance in your relationship. Love does not mean that you cannot be angry at each other or have differences, love means that you can express all your emotions without fear.
How was it with Vidya Balan in ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’?
-Very amazing. As interesting as his character in the film is, his personality in real life is equally simple. His energy is such that anyone who sees him wants to talk to him. It was because of his simplicity that I felt so comfortable with him. In this film, we are playing the roles of husband and wife, so to depict physical intimacy it was very important for both of us to be comfortable with each other. We read the script and also did one or two workshops. But unless there is openness in the actor in front, chemistry cannot emerge. The whole process of doing this film was fun. Firstly, there were a large number of women on the set. From AD staff to make-up and costumes. The director of the film, Shirsha Guha Thakurta, is also a woman, so there was a very energetic and enthusiastic atmosphere. From any angle you will not feel that this is Shirsha’s first film.