The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Nepotism or no, I am here: Vidya
Actors Vidya Balan and Pratik Gandhi speak on rejections, being branded jinxed, and even facing a ‘witch hunt’
IT TAKES grit and determination to create a niche in the Hindi film industry. As actors Vidya Balan and Pratik Gandhi sat down for a candid chat at the inaugural session of Indian Express Expresso, they spoke about facing reject ions, being branded ‘jinxed’ and even facing a ‘witch hunt’ before they tasted success. the duo is collaborating in the upcoming film, Do Aur Do Pyaar.
“Nepotism or no nepotism, I am here. Kissi ki baap ki industry nahi hai, nahi toh har baap ka beta, ha rb aap ki bet i successful ho te( the film industry doesn’t belong to any body’ s father otherwise all the star kids would have been be successful),” Balan said in answer to a question on whether she faced bias in the film industry.
Pratik, who burst onto screen with an inspired performance in Scam 92: the harsh adm eh ta story, spoke about his journey to success. After moving from Surat to Mumbai, he had his fair share of struggle.“tv rejected me out right. All the auditions that I gave... I got rejected. Their idea of an actor for a television show was a little different. My appearance didn’t work for them. they were looking for a certain kind of physique, skin color, and look,” he said.
Balan also spoke about the ‘witch-hunt’ she faced early in her c are er.“iw as going through heart break for three years. That feeling of rejection was so strong and it was devastating. I was shattered and my will to continue on this path was shaken. But I have to say that the fire in my belly outshone everything else,” she said.
Presented by The Indian Express in collaboration with Hsbc and t he taj group of hotels, the session was moderated by Justin Rao, Deputy Copy Editor, The indian express. the series aims to create eclectic, intimate, and intelligentcontent in the fields of art, culture and entertainment.
Balan and Pratik play a married couple who fall in love again whilst cheating on each other. Directed by Shirsha Guha Thakurta, it also stars Ileana D’ cruz and send hi lr am am ur thy.