Sahitya Aaj Tak The second day of Mahakumbh 2024 was quite entertaining. Divyendu Sharma, Prateek Gandhi arrived on Sahitya Aaj Tak’s OTT platform to promote the film ‘Agni’. Divyendu spoke about his struggle, his love life and his upcoming projects. At the same time, Prateek Gandhi told how difficult it was for him to shoot the film ‘Agni’.
How did you feel playing the role in ‘Agni’?
Divyendu: When there is a fire, it is the firefighters who run near the fire. So playing this character was a very important thing for me. It would be a very good movie if people paid attention to this too. I enjoyed reading the script and how a person does things to put out the fire. This is a different movie and should be shown. That’s why I chose to make this film.
How much hard work did you put into this role?
Prateek Gandhi: This was a change that cannot be achieved through physical training. I had to mentally understand how to put out this fire. Where is the oil, where is the water and how do we have to work on it? We have fallen so far behind in our daily lives that we have abandoned our common sense. We don’t know how to deal with and get out of a disaster. People may find it difficult, but the life of firefighters is definitely difficult.
A firefighter does not leave the city even on holidays. I met a man, his wife told me that when he leaves every morning, we don’t know if he will come back at night or not. ‘Agni’ will release on Amazon Prime on December 6. Prateek Gandhi and Divyendu are going to play important roles in this.
Mechanical engineer turned actor Pratik
I have gone from being an engineer to an actor. It’s not like that. I started the stage when I was in fourth class. So I loved the magic of stories. I didn’t do engineering reluctantly. He did it from the heart. I also completed my studies. I was confused because I wanted to be multi-talented. Right now I’m an actor. And I will carry this passion forward.
Divyendu: I was clear from the beginning that I want to become an actor. I think every child has a dream, then in the middle came the phase where I wanted to join the army. So this time it was in the middle, but then I got the role of a lawyer. I thought it was over. But then I tried to master acting.
How was your life of struggle?
Prateek: I went to Mumbai from Surat in 2004. I had an engineering degree. When I started in Mumbai, I didn’t have a house or anything. I never considered it a struggle because this word is very negative. Fighting words make one feel poor. I’m gaining experience now. Both in professional and personal life. Mumbai traffic is strange. When it was finished, I thought about buying a bigger house. Then I thought why should I take it if I spent more time on the street than at home.
Divyendu: The fighting phase did not last long. I studied in Pune. Many of my elders were in Mumbai. So he helped me a lot in this field. I made some money working for seniors. To be able to cover my expenses. Many times I did dubbing to be able to earn some money and make a living. I used to pay the house rent with this money.
If you can go to film school then that’s fine, but you’ll definitely have to do theatre. You can learn many things from theater. If you like doing this work, go only to Mumbai. Otherwise there are many people in Mumbai who want to become an actor but if this is your passion then go to Mumbai otherwise not.
Where was the filming of ‘Agni’?
Pratik: The entire shoot took place in Mumbai. We used to build sets every day and burn them every day. All filming was done with live fire. After this it was changed. We used to go and the body doubles used to go too. There was also security. But all the fire you’ll see has been changed in production. But there was also a lot of fire on set. It seemed that the firefighters who go into the fire, it seems that yes, these people go through a lot of difficulties. It’s difficult what goes through your mind.
Was it difficult to shoot?
Divyendu: When a fire breaks out and you are asked to go towards the fire, then it is very difficult. Prateik has done more fire scenes than me. Work is being done on the set. If there is a fire, any piece of the set can fall on you. Greetings to the firefighters. These people do their work with great passion, without worrying about their lives.
‘Gandhi’ series is about to start
Pratik: This is a web series whose first season has already been filmed. I am playing the role of Gandhiji. I have been to Sabarmati Ashram many times. I have also been doing monologues on Gandhiji. So, I was preparing for the role of Gandhi for the last 8-9 years thinking that I would get this role. That’s why I’ve read a lot about them. We came to know many things that we did not read or discuss. So I’m very excited about this.
