13th Exclusive! Paresh Pahuja discusses whether he would go to Shark Tank India, Gagan Dev Riar shares special message for Scam 2010

Paresh Pahuja and Scam 2003 actor Gagan Dev Riar are all set for their upcoming series, 13th. Slated to release on SonyLIV via OTTplay Premium, Paresh discusses his experiences portraying characters with distinct personalities. From the impulsive nature of Ritesh to the calm demeanor of MT Sir, Paresh and Gagan Dev reveal the intricacies of his acting process. The 13th duo open up on their personal life, creative choices, and the importance of taking risks. With admiration for industry mentors like Hansal Mehta and Mira Nair, Gagan Dev offers valuable advice for aspiring actors and creatives.

Excerpts from the interview…

Paresh, your character Ritesh is very spontaneous and unpredictable. How much do you relate to him?

There are some parts that I already connect with, and then there are some parts where I don't but I'm fascinated by. There are a lot of things. There's a drive and sense of purpose in Ritesh. He wants some meaning from life. I feel that somewhere I'm also unpredictable because I'm also very impulsive when it comes to creative choices and decisions. They're not very logical. So, it was very magical to portray something like that.

Similarly, Gagan Dev, your character is very calm, composed and somewhere calculative. Would you say that is you in real life?

I'm not at all like my character. If somebody doesn't listen to me thrice, I might resort to slapping the person. MT sir, in contrast, is very calm. He puts up with Ritesh and I do not know why is he like that. I had to believe in his character. The one thing I relate to is MT sir's honesty. He believes in a theory and operates from that. I took that as a holding point. It was a compass for me, because I also believe in life lessons and the path threaded to take those lessons. I took inspiration from there and portrayed MT sir.

Have you found a guide like MT sir in your life?

I found a guy and girl guide - Hansal Mehta and Mira Nair. They're both very awesome. I really look up to them. They have been really inspiring in the last few years. I look up to them for any kind of guidance or confusion I have.

So, do you just seek professional advice or discuss personal matters too?

I don't believe in mentorship for personal life. You only have to sort out your personal matters. People can guide you for life lessons or how to behave in a certain situation - business dealings and professional dealings, but when it comes to lovers, that's something different. Nobody can handle that. People go to therapists for that, but even they are failing considering the number of divorces happening around. That cannot be mentored. That's personal life.

Paresh, everybody faces that one moment where they wonder if they should just leave it all and pursue something new and exciting. How did you deal with that situation?

I've actually done that, but not in the same way as Ritesh. I have quit corporate jobs to become an actor. That phase was scary because those six months you don't know where to go and whom to meet. Your savings keep running out. It's fruitful if you believe in yourself and what you want to do, it makes a difference.

Was there ever a moment where you knew that something was bound for failure but you still kept pushing? What kept you going?

We constantly feel that as actors. While waiting for the big breaks, there are months where we don't do anything and it does feel like everything is coming to an end and might not get better. Then something comes along and changes the course of our lives again. The whole cycle repeats. I have seen this happen to the biggest of stars. Their four films flop back-to-back and they also don't know where to go and what to do. The moment you decide to be a creative in any form, you have signed up for that risk for life. It just becomes an inherent part of what we do. We just have to accept it and move on. We have to do it either way. That's the whole fun of life. Forget safety, risk-taking and change is the way.

Suppose you were an entrepreneur and not an actor, and you had the option of going to Shark Tank for funding. Would you dare to do that, given how it's literally a make-or-break moment?

100 percent. I'd go to Shark Tank as a Shark - that's the goal. There's no other way I'm going to Shark Tank.

Gagan Dev, you got fame for Scam 2003 and now we have Scam 2010 coming up. Any words for that?

It's a great franchise. I'm very proud to be a part of it. All the best for any actor - young or old - whoever gets to do that part. All the best to Hansal Mehta sir who I always consider as a father figure. It's going to be even bigger than 1 and 2. I'm assured that it would be a big thing whenever it will release.

FAQs:

Q. When to watch 13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught In Classrooms?

A. Watch 13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught In Classrooms on Sony LIV and OTTplay Premium on October 1.

Q. Who are the main actors in 13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught In Classrooms?

A. Paresh Pahuja and Gagan Dev Riar (Scam 2003) feature as the leading duo in Sony LIV's 13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught In Classrooms.