New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- Pratik Gandhi isn't your regular Bollywood hero. Born in Surat to a family of teachers, he started his career with Gujarati plays and films. Among them, he was noticed most for 'Wrong Side Raju' (2016), which won the National Award for 'Best Gujarati Film'. But this breakthrough came in 2020 when he played stockbroker Harshad Mehta in the Hindi web series 'Scam 1992'. But this chemical engineer-turned-actor knew that the 'Scam 1992' image could stereotype him in Bollywood. So, he went all out to showcase his diversity as an actor with projects like 'Do Aur Do Pyaar', 'Madgaon Express', 'Phule', 'Gandhi', 'Saare Jahan Se Accha' and now 'Ghamasaan'. In 'Ghamasaan' on 'ZEE5', directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Pratik plays an upright cop, Aditya, who gets into a fierce cat-and-mouse chase with Maharaj (Arshad Warsi), a brutal dacoit. 'Millennium Post' chats with the actor about 'Ghamasaan', the changing role of OTT platforms and more.

On the conscious decision to diversify after 'Scam 1992' with projects like 'Do Aur Do Pyaar', 'Phule', 'Gandhi' and now 'Ghamasaan'

I always wanted to be in this position where people, especially writers, directors and producers, can see me in all possible genres and in different characters. That's been my constant effort since my theatre days. In Bollywood, I am lucky to have got different opportunities and 'Ghamasaan' is definitely another step in that direction.

On playing a cop in 'Ghamasaan' and choosing the right script

I guess my process is absolutely organic. I read the script and hear the narration. But it's extremely important to know who the director is and what his/her vision is ultimately. With 'Ghamasaan', it was easy, as I had already worked on The Great Indian Murder with Tigmanshu Dhulia. My character, Aditya, is an IPS officer in 'Ghamasaan'. Interestingly, the story is inspired by a series of real incidents, so Tigmanshu has created a gritty world of cops and dacoits. Let's not forget, he is the master behind the cult 'Paan Singh Tomar'.

Changing content landscape

There is so much content inflow these days that, as an audience, even I get confused about what to watch and what not to watch. Most of the time, you have the remote in your hand and you don't know what to watch. However, the big plus is that there are enough opportunities for everybody. The biggest challenge is also to command the attention of the audience without being fearful of losing them. Today, there is an unnecessary overflow of data. And data can't make films. But I am an eternal optimist. I think better times are ahead.

OTT's impact & the democratisation of stardom

It has completely changed how we looked at stardom earlier. Today, anyone can become an overnight star, courtesy of good work on OTT. And why only OTT? Look at the entire internet wave. Social media is creating local stars. People are finding stars in their own communities now.

On 'Madgaon Express' sequel

Kunal Kemmu has been writing the second instalment and I hope it will be announced soon. My pairing with Divyenndu and Avinash Tiwary in 'Madgaon Express' (2024) was highly appreciated and we hope the next instalment will have more madness.

What kind of OTT content keeps you hooked as a viewer?

I like all kinds of genres. I like content that challenges my intellect and attention at the same time. I love slow-burn dramas too. I loved watching 'Musafir Cafe' and liked the old-world charm of the series. Recently, I watched 'Tehran' on 'Apple TV' and I think it's an extremely well-made series.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.