Pratik Gandhi became famous with Hansal Mehta's web-series Scam 1992 (2020) which was released on SonyLIV late last year. He will now be seen playing the leading man in a Hindi movie for the first time in Hardik Gajjar’s Bhavai (2021). But, in fact, Gandhi had signed the film before Scam 1992 was released.
As Gandhi wasn’t a known name then, he put the onus on the director to decide whether he should cast him. "This was before Scam 1992, in 2018," the actor said in a statement. "When I first heard the narration, I was clear and convinced that I want to do this movie. I told Hardik now you decide if you want me for this character because, at that time, apart from Gujarati movies I hadn’t explored anything else.”
Bhavai is set in 1982 in a village in Gujarat. The film is about two artistes, Raja Ram Joshi (Gandhi) and Rani (Aindrita Ray), who are part of a local Ram Leela set-up. The film is about how taking part in the play affects their personal lives.
Gandhi added, “Making a movie in Hindi and releasing it are two different things as there are many variables. Moreover, launching a fresh face is challenging. Hence, I had left it to director Hardik Gajjar to decide.”
Looking back, the actor said the film has turned out to be special for him. “I am very excited. Bhavai will always be close to my heart for many reasons," he said. "Firstly, Bhavai is my first 'Bollywood' film as the protagonist. This in itself is huge for an actor. The second reason is the love that was showered on me through Scam (1992). There is a set of the audience now hoping to see me in a different role, so I want to showcase something that is different and they will enjoy.”
Produced by Pen Studios, Bhavai will be released in theatres on 1 October.