Scam Star Pratik Gandhi Speaks About His Bollywood Debut As A Leading Man

Raavan Leela,your Bollywood debut , is this  a sequel of sorts to Sanjay Bhansali’s Ram Leela?

(Laughs) No no. No relation. Raavan  Leela,  directed  by  Hardik Gajjar is  officially  my debut  as a  leading man, the central protagonist in  Bollywood.Hence very special. It was also  an unforgettable experience  for   a very  personal  reason which I’d like to  share with you.

Please  do?

Apart  from being my  first  Hindi  film where I played  the  hero, two life-changing  things happened during the  film’s shooting.One was  the call I received from Hansal Mehta when I  was  shooting in Bhuj for Raavan Leela . Hansal Sir told me , ‘We’re planning a series on the  life of Harshad Mehta. When are  you in  Mumbai next?’  The other phonecall(Pratik’s voice drops) was from my mother  informing me  that my father  was seriously  ill and  hospitalized.This was  in May 2018.  In  November  2018 I lost my father.A  lot of emotions  are attached to Raavan Leela. So I really have really high hopes from it.

I believe you  have another project with  the same  director?

Yes, Atithee Bhooto Bhava where I’ve the  honour of sharing screen  space with Jackie Shroff.I signed that project after the success of Scam 1992. This(Raavan Leela)  was completed before Scam 1992 started streaming.

 Really?

Yes I shot for this film in May 2018. It’s  a very  special subject for  many  reasons.And  not only  because it gave me   my first  break as  leading man in mainstream Hindi film industry.It’s releasing  on October  1.

Why did it take  so  long  to release?

I guess the director  had to  bear   his own struggle in putting the project together. Things were  different before Scam 1992.Now after its success, the Mumbai film industry has  a lot of  faith in me.That’s how  they  managed to complete  the film and now it’s going to be released.

Do you see trouble  ahead ? I mean, Sanjay Bhansali had to go through hell for Ram Leela  and  had to  finally change  the title  to  Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela?

I know. Well,as the title  suggests Raavan Leela   is  a very  sensitive  subject.It is based  on  the  theme of the dual personality. There is  Rama and  Raavan within all of us. The  good  thoughts  , the good side is Rama.The  other side is Raavan, the evil side. There is  both Ram and Raavan within us.And there is a constant  fight between the two sides. Whether  the Ram  or the Ravan within us win is what makes us who we are.There  is  another angle to this  dichotomy.

What is  that?

 Today we are  living in a world  driven by perceptions. If the world perceives  you as evil, then the  onus is on  you to prove them wrong. That’s a very tricky situation.  If  the world   perceives  you as Raavan then you have to  prove yourself  to be Ram, if you are not Raavan. I am  thankful to the  entire team of Raavan Leela  for trusting me with the lead in such  a  delicate  subject at a time when I was not a known name  and face in Hindi cinema.

Scam 1992 did  the trick for you?

Yes, I can never thank Hansal Mehta enough. Because  of Scam I  became known all across the world. Because  of  Scam I got this  film Raavan Leela. I   hope  I get the same love  and  support  of  the audience for this  film that I got for Scam.