The Courage To Experiment Has Helped Me!
Versatile actor Pratik Gandhi considers the life of an artist waiting for a big break which may or may not happen
Actor Pratik Gandhi has never been one to play it safe. “Fearlessness about experimenting has always helped me,” he says with conviction. Pratik’s latest outing, Netflix’s espionage thriller Saare Jahaan Se Accha, sees him play Vishnu, a fictional RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) agent working under India’s first spymaster, RN Kao.
Set in the tumultuous aftermath of the 1966 plane crash that killed physicist Homi Bhabha, the series is a taut game of ideologies, secrets and sacrifice. The character of Vishnu, constantly caught in a web of morality and duty, became a turning point for the actor. “What intrigued me was the creation of a real spy world that, at its core, is also a deeply human story. We haven’t really explored the complex emotional lives of spies on screen. These are people who live under a shroud of secrecy, with no one knowing who they really are. The only thing they remain loyal to is their country and their duty,” he shares.
An engineer by training , Pratik shot to national prominence with his magnetic portrayal of Harshad Mehta in Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992. Since then, there has been no looking back.
From comedy in Madgaon Express to the layered Do Aur Do Pyaar and the intense Agni, his versatility has only deepened. “I’m no longer sceptical about my process,” he admits. “Earlier, I wasn’t sure if I was doing things the right way. But now there’s a sense of confidence. People around me trust my instinct, and that has made me trust myself more.”
Despite the praise, Pratik remains grounded and emphasises that cinema is a collaborative medium. “I like being part of projects where everyone contributes equally. It’s the collective synergy that makes a project successful. I don’t want to carry the burden of success alone, unless I’m writing, directing, acting, producing, and marketing the film myself,” he laughs and adds, “If you start thinking you’re the be-all and end-all, your focus on acting, the core of your job, gets compromised.”
Reacting to Shahrukh Khan finally being honoured with a National Award after three decades in the industry, Pratik says: He’s the biggest star. As a country, we all want him to win everything. Honestly, we do feel he should have received it earlier. But now that he has, we are happy, nonetheless.”
As the industry evolves, Pratik is candid about the increasing dependence on data and technology. “Everything can’t be driven by data. Sometimes I think - might as well get AI to do it. But what your gut and experience tell you, that’s something AI can’t replicate.” With AI becoming a hot topic in film circles, especially after actor Dhanush’s public disapproval of its use in Raanjhanaa, Pratik agrees that caution is key. “AI can be useful if used right — for productivity, for creativity. But misused, it’s like a nuclear bomb. Nuclear energy can be used to power homes or destroy cities. It’s all about how you handle it.”
Up next for Pratik is Mahatma, where he steps into the role of Gandhiji, a striking contrast to the morally ambiguous Vishnu in Saare Jahaan Se Accha.
And yet, he points out a curious connection between all his recent characters.
