EXCLUSIVE: Pratik Gandhi opens up on being the ONLY actor of Indian cinema to play both Mahatma Phule and Mahatma Gandhi: “I feel blessed and lucky”; recalls delay in final episode drop of Scam 1992: “Many said that they were waiting for Season 2!”
Pratik Gandhi rocked the show at the Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and India Entertainment Awards 2025. On the first day, he attended an interesting panel called ‘The Screen Wizard: Art Of Bewitching The Audience!’ while during the award ceremony on day 2, he won the Best Actor – Male [Original Series; People’s Choice] for Saare Jahaan Se Accha. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama conducted at the BH OTT India Fest 2025, the dashing and talented actor spoke exclusively about his OTT journey and a lot more.
Your cult show, Scam 1992, completed 5 years in October. How does it feel and how important was the show in giving your career the much-needed boost?
(Smiles) It’s more than what I had ever dreamed of. The show worked very well with the audience, and it helped not just me but also Hansal Mehta sir, Applause Entertainment and Sony LIV. It was DOP Pratham Mehta’s first project. A lot of actors were waiting for a long time for that one noticeable work and they also benefited. Hence, Scam 1992 gave a lot to a lot of people. Even after 5 years, it is still fresh in the memory of the audience. In the last 15 days, I have visited different places and met so many people of different age groups and from different corners of the world. Everyone unanimously told me that they watched Scam 1992. It has become my biggest identity. People know me through that show. It is overwhelming for an actor to get a career-defining project.
Recently, Hansal Mehta admitted at an event that the first 9 episodes dropped together while the finale released on the OTT platform a day later…
Yes. It dropped on October 9, 2020, without the last episode. A lot of people watched the first 9 episodes and even reviewed it. Many said that it ended on a high and on a cliffhanger and that they were awaiting the next season! Then, after 12 hours, the tenth episode dropped (laughs).
Thankfully, you didn’t get typecast and essayed various roles. Also, you are the only actor of Indian cinema to play both the Mahatmas – Mahatma Phule and Mahatma Gandhi…
I am blessed and lucky to get all these opportunities. This is especially in the case of the two Mahatmas. Both Mahatmas were born nearly 60 years apart from each other. Phule has been an important personality in Indian history. The same goes for Gandhi.
And as you said, the most fortunate part was that all the characters I played were different from one another. I am glad that the makers could see me in different characters. That helped me push my boundaries. I have always worked like that, even on stage and would continue to do so.
Gandhi was premiered at the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). How was the experience? I believe just two episodes were shown…
Yes. The audience comprised people from all over and not just the Indian diaspora. Yet, they could get the context about young Gandhi’s life. The storytelling worked with them. Also, it was the first set of audience that saw it. In fact, even I had not seen it entirely and even I was watching it for the first time (laughs). Hence, it was quite overwhelming.
When will it be released?
I don’t know. Even I am waiting for the announcement. I guess it’ll happen soon and hopefully, in the first quarter of 2026.
Phule’s OTT premiere has been keenly awaited. Any update?
As per the last conversation I had with the producers, they are about to complete the process. So, I guess, that should be out soon as well. And yes, a lot of people have told me too that they are waiting for its digital release.
A film of yours that I am looking forward to is Woh Ladki Hai Kahan, co-starring Taapsee Pannu. When will it be released?
I have no idea. The producers are trying to crack a good deal. I am still waiting for it. There are 3 more films which are completely ready and will be out in the near future.
You shot for several films in 2022-2023 and many of them were released back-to-back like Madgaon Express, Do Aur Do Pyaar, Dedh Bigha Zameen etc. Does it get overwhelming, especially the promotions?
Not really. I enjoy the process. I have waited enough to start. My only joy is to constantly work and play different characters (smiles).
The post EXCLUSIVE: Pratik Gandhi opens up on being the ONLY actor of Indian cinema to play both Mahatma Phule and Mahatma Gandhi: “I feel blessed and lucky”; recalls delay in final episode drop of Scam 1992: “Many said that they were waiting for Season 2!” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
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