Pratik Gandhi, who will be seen in the film Phule, wishes to surprise his audience with each outing

For a cause that Jyotirao Phule championed almost 200 years ago, we are still running a campaign in 2025 — Beti Padhao. The man who challenged cast and gender bias in society, and put a thrust on women’s education in India, is coming alive on big screens now. And filling this big man’s shoes is none other than brilliant actor Pratik Gandhi!

With an impressive body of work in theatre and films, Pratik finds the film Phule a story relevant to the current times. With Anant Mahadevan on the director’s seat, this film highlights the journey of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, who championed equality and education in India. “While we had all read about Mahatma Phule in school, getting the script from director Anant Mahadevan opened up lots of hidden truths for me,” Pratik shares. He recalled how Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) people came to his school to raise awareness. And how a society that was established by Phule back in 1873 continued to spread awareness for so many years. “The script became my source material and shooting in Satara was a great experience, especially as I had heard many stories from people there.”

Interestingly, Pratik is also a part of the series Mahatma Gandhi, where he essays the titular role. “Getting back to work with Hansal Mehta is like coming home; with him work doesn’t feel like work. Gandhi is a big project and we are excited to bring it to people.”

Stage presence

From a theatre background, Scam established Pratik’s mettle as an actor. Despite having a number of film offers back-to-back, he has kept in touch with the stage. “I still try to do one play a month. During outdoor shoots, if there is an auditorium I like to take my plays there.” It’s only on stage that he truly values being an actor. “When my audience gives me the reaction that I am looking for, it feels like true magic. Each time, every time, that is my biggest high.” Now that he has couple films old does direction cross his mind? “I truly want it, but still have to get a grip on technical aspects. When I see actors like Kunal Khemu doing a wonderful job as a director, the hunger to get behind the camera increases in me,” says Pratik, who has directed four plays, including 7×3=21. Though he has broken through the mediums, merrily traversing theatre, cinema and OTT, he is hankering for an out-and-out actioner. “With each project and positive feedback, my quest to do different characters in different mediums grows, I want to surprise my audience with each and every outing.”

April, his birthday month, is a busy one. Caught in shoot and promotions, he also performs in a play at Prithvi Theatre. Chandigarh features on his ‘to be’ list too. So far having seen it only on screen, he hopes for an extended stay to explore people, culture, food and people in the region. “I wish to bring one of my plays to Chandigarh,” he says.

Meanwhile, Phule is all set to hit theatres on the 197th birth anniversary of Mahatma Phule on April 11.

On his favourites’ list

Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness. The complex emotions and how well they are put across by the brilliant actors makes it my favourite.

Actor: Sanjeev Kumar; he lived every character he played. His physicality never came into play, but the audience instantly connected to the characters he essayed.

Actress: Sridevi; for her amazing range. What a filmography she has. She was the same person who could do Sadma and Chaalbaaz too, and dance so effortlessly.

Play: Mareez, a Gujarati play based on the life of the phenomenal poet. The play, in its 25th year, would be staged at Prithvi Theatre soon.

Director: Hansal Mehta; he is a very simple, sweet human being. His approach is very organic. He exactly knows how to work with different actors. I call him an actor’s director.

Web series: Black Warrant. Life around jails was a subject I hadn’t seen much about; it was interesting to explore that and the series has been made so brilliantly.

Lifestyle