Exclusive! Pratik Gandhi: I want the audience to feel the unpredictability each time I come on screen

Pratik Gandhi hasn’t read the book Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup, on which his upcoming series The Great Indian Murder is based. But the actor knows a good script when it comes his way. So, when director Tigmanshu Dhulia approached him to play the role of CBI officer Suraj Yadav in the expansive series that releases on Disney+ Hotstar on February 4, Pratik knew this was a character he could really sink his teeth into.

The actor, who became a household name after the success of the 2020 series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, has quite a few interesting projects in his kitty, including movies such as Atithi Bhooto Bhava, Dedh Bigha Zameen and Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan. We caught up with the talented performer for a quick chat about his latest series, his process of creating memorable characters, and working in multiple genres.

What was the main draw for you to say yes to The Great Indian Murder?

I want to be part of projects where I feel some excitement in terms of the character, the story, and the director. With this project too, there were a couple of reasons, the first being that Tigmanshu Dhulia was writing and directing it. I have seen all his films. I am a fan of the worlds and the characters he creates. As an actor, it was very interesting for me to explore his style of working. That was the first attraction. The second was the story. I heard a lot about the book written by Vikas Swarup. I had not read it when I decided on the project. Tigmanshu also asked me not to read it because Richa (Chadha) and my characters are not in the book. He has created these characters. That was very intriguing to me because we are taking the story in different directions. I am playing a grey character, and I have never played a CBI officer before this. I read a few episodes and I was glued to them.

You have quite a few scenes with Richa Chadha. Can you tell us how it was working with her?

Richa is a very intuitive actor. Her presence of mind and how she creates the character is something I could relate to. She also comes from a theatre background. We immediately clicked. I felt as if I’m meeting a long-lost friend. She says what she thinks, and I think that’s very cool.

You have done shows like Scam 1992 and Vitthal Teedi where you played the protagonist. This show has a huge ensemble cast. Does the length of the role matter?

That’s not a concern for me, especially in this long format. One has seen, even in many international series, that sometimes the guy you are thinking of as the protagonist dies in the first few episodes and someone else comes into focus. Series is a format where these things keep changing. Here, it is one murder and multiple suspects and all those suspects will have their stories. I got to work with such a brilliant cast. For me, the best part is I am creating a character that will be interesting for the audience to watch as well as for me to perform. I have never played such a character, even on stage.

You have left an impression on people’s minds as Harshad Mehta and even as Vitthal in your earlier shows. How do you ensure that the audience forgets the character you played in your earlier project and believes in the role you are performing now?

Each time I come on stage or on screen, I want the audience to feel the unpredictability. They should not know what’s going to happen. At least, that’s the space I want to create so that I can perform without any inhibitions or pressures. That’s what I am doing with these different characters. It is very easy for one to get mimicked after two or three projects. That’s the benchmark for me. I feel that till the time you are not being mimicked, you are choosing something different each time.

Bhavai was your first Hindi film as a lead, but the movie got into controversy before the release and received mixed reviews. Has there been any learning from that experience?

I haven’t changed my thought process. The only thing I have learnt is that one should learn to deal with whatever is happening around us in the socio-political world or on social media. It did put unnecessary pressure on my mind for a few days. I did get a little anxious about whatever was happening or being written, but then, ultimately, you are not supposed to take it seriously. That is what I have understood from this experience.

Has it changed anything about the way you choose your future projects?

Honestly, I thought about that and did not get any answers because, whatever I pick up, chances are that someone somewhere might still have an issue with it. I can’t ask for public approval each time I am approached for a script. So, I don’t want to change my instinct or corrupt my gut feelings.   

Your upcoming films belong to such different genres. Tell us what you are most excited about.

I am currently shooting for the last schedule of Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan and I believe that’s going to be a really fun character and story. I haven’t been a part of such a genre in a mainstream movie and I think it will be refreshing for the audience to see me in it. I am lucky that I have projects in different genres. Before anyone thinks of me in a particular way, they will see me in a different character.

You are now in your early 40s and getting to be a part of such interesting stories. Do you ever think that you tasted success late in life?

I used to think about it a lot, but now I feel everything has happened at the correct time. Had it happened earlier to me, I don’t know if I would have been able to perform similarly or not. I have learned a lot in the process. I have been working continuously on stage and in different mediums, which helped me work on my craft, so the moment I was given this chance, I could give it my all. Pehle hua hota toh shayad nahi ho pata. Jo hua, sahi time pe hua. 

Deepali Singh is a Mumbai-based lifestyle and entertainment writer who loves to talk and write about movies, shows, music, art, and food.