‘MY WIFE AND I TREAT EACH OTHER AS CLOSE FRIENDS, NOT HUSBAND-WIFE’
Actor Pratik Gandhi answers in-depth queries about reel and real relationships with wife Bhamini Oza
“WE’VE NEVER FELT INSECURE SINCE I DON’T PLAY HER CHARACTER AND SHE DOESN’T PLAY MINE. MY WIFE DESERVES THE MAJORITY OF THE CREDIT FOR WHAT I’VE ACCOMPLISHED IN MY CAREER THUS FAR.”
Pratik Gandhi, who received acclaim for portraying Harshad Mehta in Scam 1992, stars alongside Vidya Balan in Do Aur Do Pyaar, a romantic comedy film. His most anticipated series is Hansal Mehta’s upcoming Mahatma Gandhi biography, in which he plays Gandhi and his wife Bhamini Oza portrays Kasturba.
The actor answers a slew of questions about both reel and real-life relationships.
MARRIAGE MANTRA
We share the same profession and also collaborate on stage performances. As husband and wife, we function as both friends and critics and occasionally give each other directions. I believe that all of these factors contribute to our close bond.
ANY INSECURITY?
We’ve never felt insecure since I don’t play her character and she doesn’t play mine. My wife deserves the majority of the credit for what I’ve accomplished in my career thus far. When I was working professionally at a corporate company, I was also involved in theatre and struggled with films. I was too busy to spend much time with her. She deserves all of the praise.
STEPPING INTO THE GLAMOUR WORLD
Before we married, she worked in theatre. My family treats women and men equally. Our family is culturally dominant. I always encouraged her to do everything she wanted, including performing in theatres. She chose to take a break when our daughter was born in 2014. We both take our work seriously and also divide the domestic chores evenly and constantly try to be there for one another as two individuals. We do not treat each other as husband and wife, but as close friends.
ON EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIRS
ANY TYPE OF CHEATING IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP, JUST SAY SO AND LEAVE. NOW THAT I’M WORKING ON THE FILM DO AUR DO PYAAR, I’M REALISING THAT EXTRAMARITAL RELATIONSHIPS DO EXIST, AND I’M FORCED TO EMPATHISE WITH THOSE WHO ARE IN THEM.”
Any type of cheating is unacceptable to me. If you don’t want to be in a relationship, just say so and leave. Now that I’m working on the film Do Aur Do Pyaar, I’m realising that extramarital relationships do exist, and I’m forced to empathise with those who are in them. Now I understand what they must be going through mentally.