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Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pratik Gandhi: We keep saying art has no barriers; the audience just proved it
Apart from getting the country vibing to a banger opening theme, Hansal Mehta's Scam 1992 also gave the audience an actor to look forward to – Pratik Gandhi . With a body of work that spans Gujarati films, Hindi plays, OTT shows and movies, Pratik has become a name to reckon with, more so in the last two years with projects like Do Aur Do Pyaar , Agni , Madgaon Express , Dhoom Dhaam and Phule . In a chat with us, the actor speaks about his love for theatre, his takeaway from the Phule controversy and why the struggle of Bollywood films is more complex than it looks. Excerpts: 'No film institute can give you what theatre does' 'Theatre is an actor's gym,' says Pratik, who was in the city to stage Mohan Ka Masala , in which he played the role of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. 'It is a place where you can work on different prototypes. When you perform in a play, you go through the same story and emotions multiple times. I live that character more than once and it gives me the chance to rehearse my craft,' says the actor. Highlighting that tools and theoretical knowledge are of no use if you can't implement them, Pratik adds, 'Film institutes can teach you about the tools you can use as an actor, or about the theory part of the profession, but theatre gives you a platform to implement that knowledge practically. That's something no other place can give you.' 'The audience has evolved multifold; makers are taking time' Bollywood has been trying to figure out what really clicks with the audience post the pandemic. While experts try to decipher that, Pratik shares a different take on why the industry is struggling. 'It's a very complex thing. You can't look at the problem from just one lens – of content, marketing, etc,' says the actor, adding, 'I feel that for the longest time, filmmakers and the audience were evolving together, almost in sync with each other. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing you should Ditch over 40 Learn More Undo But during the pandemic the exposure to global content happened and the audience suddenly evolved multifold. Makers, on the other hand, could not evolve that fast and that created a huge gap which we are all trying to fill up. It's happening, but it will take some time.' Pratik also feels that the audience's evolution was unprecedented. 'Earlier, India was looked at as a less English-speaking market and makers would be told to dumb stories down. Now, people are watching Korean and Spanish shows. Someone sitting in a remote area is watching an English show on their phone. This was something no one predicted. We keep saying art has no barriers. The audience just proved it.' Another enemy everyone is fighting nowadays is the overuse of data in filmmaking. If you are creating a film or show on the basis of data interpretation, then you don't need human brains to work in this industry Pratik Gandhi 'Nobody has the time to process anything today' A few months ago, Phule , which featured Pratik and Patralekhaa as Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, respectively, had a brush with controversy after certain groups opposed the film's release. While the film did get a stamp of approval from critics and viewers after it released, Pratik says he wasn't surprised with what happened. 'The world has become impatient. We want to react and jump the gun before watching or understanding anything,' he says, adding, 'In the chaotic world of social media and hyperconnectivity, nobody has the time to process anything. I keep giving this example to people that in the Doordarshan days, news anchors would read the news to you, without added emotion or a specific tone. This was so you could interpret the news the way you wanted to, without being biased. Now, news is interpreted and given to you. You are not supposed to use your brain. Looking at everything, I was not surprised by the people's reaction to Phule. I faced the same issues during Bhavai (2021). What people think and what can offend them, that's something nobody can gauge.' On the relevance of Phule and Gandhi in today's times... Having played Mahatma Phule on screen and Mahatma Gandhi on stage, Pratik says that so many things from these legendary figures' lives are relevant even today. 'We hear about discrimination, wars and people justifying violence in different ways every day. These are things that these prominent figures in Indian history fought against. I think they were visionaries because they could visualise that the world would need guiding thoughts in difficult times even if they weren't around. That makes them significant even today,' he says. Speaking about his play Mohan Ka Masala , Pratik adds, 'We tend to think that Gandhiji was born with qualities of a Mahatma but it's not like that. He was a common man like any of us who made mistakes and learnt from them. The message you can take away from the play is that everyone has been given qualities to become a Mahatma. It is the choices you make that define your journey.' Pratik Gandhi at Aga Khan Palace (Pic: Jignesh Mistry) On six-pack abs and a possible Madgaon Express reunion In his next OTT show, Saare Jahan Se Achha, Pratik plays a spy. Speaking about the same, he says, 'We've often seen spies as these super-special, heroic people who can do anything. That's not the case in real life and we have tried to show that with our next. Spies six-packs wale thodi hote hai!' On the topic of six-pack abs, we ask him about his shirtless act in Dhoom Dhaam and whether he would do it again. Pratik laughs and shares, 'I don't mind at all! I have always looked like that. Just that I had never taken my shirt off on screen before Dhoom Dhaam .' On a concluding note, we ask the actor if he and the team are open to a Madgaon Express sequel. To that, Pratik says, 'The whole team is super excited to do it again. We are all just waiting for Kunal (Kemmu) to come up with an idea. It was a crazy, mad film.'
News18
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Vidya Balan On Taking Break from Acting: ‘I'm Shamelessly Optimistic'
Vidya Balan is on a break, reading scripts, planning two films. Her last film, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, was a hit. She will next appear in Raja Shivaji, releasing May 1. Vidya Balan is currently on a break from acting and she's completely at ease with it. In a recent chat with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor spoke about taking time off and how she doesn't feel insecure about not being in the spotlight. 'For the first time in my life, I am not experiencing stress," Vidya said. 'Knowingly or unknowingly, we go through a lot of stress. I am enjoying this period. I am reading scripts, meeting people, and I have decided on two films. Unfortunately, I am not able to talk about it right now." Even though she's away from the screen, she's confident that she's on the right path. 'I think I am shamelessly optimistic. I have so much self-belief. I have put myself out there at my biggest and not batted an eyelid," she said. 'I've had people tell me I should work on myself, that I should shed weight. But I actually believe there is nothing wrong with me." She added that she never let such comments affect her. 'I was still playing the lead, so I don't think those kinds of insecurities have ever weighed me down." Vidya was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024) alongside Kartik Aaryan and Madhuri Dixit. The film was a massive hit, earning over Rs 400 crore at the box office. Before that, she starred in Do Aur Do Pyaar with Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D'Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy, which also received positive reviews. Up next, Vidya will be seen in Raja Shivaji, a historical drama directed by Riteish Deshmukh. The film, based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also stars Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Genelia D'Souza and will release on May 1 next year. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Vidya confirmed, 'Yes, I just finished shooting for it. It's a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and I was amazed throughout the process." Reflecting on her experience with Riteish Deshmukh as a director, she added, 'I had previously worked with Riteish as a co-actor in Heyy Babyy (2007), and we've all seen how brilliant his comic timing is. But as a director, he completely surprised me." First Published: July 22, 2025, 20:55 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vidya Balan says she's ‘shamelessly optimistic' amid acting break: 'Insecurity of not being seen does not weigh me down'
Vidya Balan is in no rush to return to the screen, and she's completely at peace with it. In an interview with THR India, the actor opened up about taking a step back from work and whether the thought of not being seen ever causes insecurity or panic. She also talked about exercising the luxury of choice lately, where she enjoyed being at home and having fun while making reels. Vidya Balan expressed contentment in taking a break from acting, feeling no insecurity in a new interview. (AFP) I have so much self-belief, says Vidya Balan 'I think I am shamelessly optimistic. I have so much self-belief. I have put myself out there at my biggest and not batted an eyelid. I've had people tell me I should work on myself, that I should shed weight. But I actually believe there is nothing wrong with me. And I think that is a great attitude because it helped me sail through. I was still playing the lead, so I don't think those kinds of insecurities have ever weighed me down," Vidya said. Her unshakable self-assurance has carried her through years in an industry often obsessed with appearance. And now, for the first time in years, Vidya said she is embracing a stress-free phase. "For the first time in my life, I am not experiencing stress. Knowingly or unknowingly, we go through a lot of stress. I am enjoying this period. I am reading scripts, meeting people, and I have decided on two films. Unfortunately, I am not able to talk about it right now," Vidya said. Vidya Balan's latest projects Vidya Balan was last seen in the 2024 blockbuster Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, where she starred alongside Kartik Aaryan and Madhuri Dixit. The film marked her much-anticipated return to the popular franchise and went on to earn over ₹400 crore at the box office. Prior to that, she received widespread critical acclaim for her role in the romantic comedy Do Aur Do Pyaar, co-starring Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D'Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy. Vidya will next appear in Ritiesh Deshmukh's Raja Shivaji, a historical drama about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Genelia D'Souza and is set to hit the theatres on 1 May next year.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vidya Balan debuts stylish short hair look with blonde highlights dressed in sizzling dress for new magazine photoshoot
Vidya Balan is the cover star of The Peacock magazine's July 2025 issue. On July 14, the magazine's Instagram page shared a picture of the actor from the cover photoshoot. It shows her debuting a new, trendy hairstyle. Let's decode Vidya's look: Vidya Balan shows off her new haircut. Also Read | Sonam Kapoor at Wimbledon wears heels with tennis balls and a classy white outfit proving fashion's in details. See pics Vidya Balan debuts a new hairstyle For the cover photo, Vidya Balan chopped her hair to shoulder length, debuting a stylish new bob haircut. To enhance the hairdo, she added layers and opted for blonde highlights. As for the styling, she chose a side-parted look and added soft blowout waves to give her locks some definition and bounce. Additionally, on one side, the hair strands sculpted her face, giving her a soft glam glow. Decoding Vidya Balan's look For the glam, Vidya chose darkened brows, mascara-adorned lashes, blush on the cheeks, a thin swipe of black eyeliner, glittery pink eye shadow with some brown undertone, luminous highlighter on the contours, glossy mauve lip shade, and soft contouring to enhance her face. Coming to the dress, The Peacock magazine dressed Vidya in a bright flamingo pink ensemble. It features shimmering sequin embellishments and beaded adornments, making it a great pick for the festive or wedding season. The thin shoulder straps, plunging V neckline, a figure-hugging silhouette, and an ombré pattern. She completed the look by draping a feather-adorned wrap on her arms – it, too, came in an ombre shade of light and dark pink. For accessories, she chose a choker necklace adorned with glittering gemstones and a chunky bracelet worn on one hand. On the work front Workwise, Vidya Balan was recently seen in the horror comedy film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which received decent reviews from the audience and turned out to be a hit. Vidya Balan was also seen in the film Do Aur Do Pyaar, where she played the lead character Kavya. The movie was directed by Shirsha Guha Thakurta and the script penned by Amrita Bagchi, Eisha Chopra, and Suprotim Sengupta.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"Thank You for Imitating Me!": Harisree Ashokan praises Vidya Balan's hilarious 'Punjabi House' reel
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Veteran comedian Harisree Ashokan has given a warm and heartfelt reaction to Bollywood actress Vidya Balan 's viral reel where she perfectly recreated a hilarious scene from the Malayalam cult comedy Punjabi House. Known for her expressive reels, Vidya chose the iconic "chor" scene from the film, a moment etched in the memories of Malayalam cinema lovers and delivered it with spot-on lip sync and expressions. The video made its way to our 'Ramanan' Harisree Ashokan himself. His reaction? Delight and gratitude. "Vidyaji's performance was amazing. My family watched the reel with me and they thoroughly enjoyed it," he told Manorama of my friends shared the video with me, and everyone was surprised that an artist like Vidya Balan chose to perform that scene. Thank you so much for imitating me!' Celebs join in praising Vidya's cuteness and timing Vidya's post didn't just win over Harisree Ashokan—it also had fellow celebrities chiming in. Actress Mahima Nambiar commented on Vidya's cuteness, while Arya Badai also joined the appreciation wave. Actress Navya Nair commented, "And the bestest girl." Actor Ankhitha Vinod commented, "Omg ! Nailed it Vidya Jiiiii." Vidya Balan gets trolled for ignoring Siddharth Roy Kapur while posing for paparazzi: 'No value of husband' Meanwhile, Vidya Balan's followers also shared funniest comments for her video. One comment read, "അച്ചാർ എങ്കി അച്ചാർ (the dialogue from the film)." Another comment read, "കണ്ടാ മ്മള രമണേട്ടന് Bollywood വരെ പിടിയുണ്ട് (See, our Ramanan has Bollywood ties too)" A third comment read, "Ramanan supremacy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Koszyce Wielkie: GEERS szuka 700 testerów urodzonych przed 1972 r. DRUGIE UCHO Undo Totally rocked it Vidya." Work front On the work front Vidya Balan was recently seen in the horror comedy film 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' which received decent reviews from the audiences and turned out to be a hit. Vidya Balan was also seen in the film 'Do Aur Do Pyaar' where she played the lead character Kavya. The movie was directed by Shirsha Guha Thakurta and the script penned by Amrita Bagchi, Eisha Chopra, and Suprotim Sengupta.
