Pratik Gandhi, known for his intense portrayal of Harshad Mehta in ‘Scam 1992’, has shared his remarkable journey to becoming a full-time actor. His path was paved with dreams, struggle, and the unwavering support of his family.
Gandhi’s journey began in 2004 when he left his hometown of Surat and moved to Mumbai, the city of dreams. Despite holding a diploma in mechanical engineering and a year of sales experience, his heart yearned for acting. He juggled a corporate job as a consultant for the National Productivity Council for four years, while simultaneously pursuing theatre in Gujarati, Hindi, and English.
The turning point came in 2016. Gandhi had achieved success with two hit Gujarati films, including the National Award-winning ‘Wrong Side Raju’, and over 15 plays. However, he realized he was losing opportunities in both his engineering and acting careers. A promotion to middle management in his corporate job would have required extensive travel, potentially sacrificing his acting aspirations.
Faced with a dilemma, Gandhi made a life-changing decision. He quit his stable job to fully pursue acting, despite his mother’s initial concerns. His father, however, had always believed in his talent and encouraged him to chase his dreams.
Gandhi acknowledges the tremendous support of his family, particularly his wife, in his success. He recognizes that their emotional anchoring and understanding allowed him to persevere and keep his dream alive.
Since embracing acting full-time, Gandhi has showcased his versatility through a range of roles. His performance as Harshad Mehta brought him into the Hindi-speaking audience, while his recent comedy caper ‘Madgaon Express’ and romantic film ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’ with Vidya Balan have demonstrated his range.
While he may not have been the obvious choice for a romantic comedy after ‘Scam 1992’, Gandhi considers himself fortunate to have been cast in ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’. He believes it’s a testament to the diverse roles he aspires to play and the belief of the filmmakers in his abilities.
