Bollywood: 'Gully Boy' actor on Netflix film 'Pagglait'

Gully Boy actor Nakul Roshan Sahdev, who plays the role of a prospective suitor for a widowed woman Sandhya Giri (Sanya Malhotra) in OTT comedy-drama Pagglait, believes the film is a “social satire that touches and comments upon the issues which exist in middle-class Indian society.”

The film focuses on what occurs immediately after the death of Sandhya’s husband - from the cremation to the various rituals the family follows that precede the terahvin (13th day after the mourning period).

The young Sandhya who is expected to grieve in a conventional way begins to behave in an odd manner that creates a stir in the small-town traditional North Indian joint family. A secret from her husband’s past makes matters more complicated.

Nakul tells City Times, “The film is about how a simple girl (Sandhya) who doesn’t feel or see things in that orthodox fashion finally gets the courage to follow the ‘Pagglait’ (which is taken from the Hindi word ‘pagal’ meaning crazy) within her. I think the film will make the audience get in touch with their own hidden ‘Pagglait’.

The actor calls his character Aditiya “a classic representation of the youth who live with a burden of proving themselves in the eyes of society”, adding, “He wants to start his business venture and the shortage of funds is what makes him vulnerable and that is what is the biggest test of his morals and principles. I feel the audience has a lot to learn from him, through his journey they can understand how important it is to be a man of principles in the first place.”

The actor is all praise for his co-star Sanya Malhotra who has impressed us in the past with her roles in Dangal and Badhaai Ho. “Sanya is always full of life and her freshness in every take is something I was very impressed with. It was a great learning experience working with her.”

The film also boasts a talented ensemble cast including Ashutosh Rana, Raghubir Yadav, Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chaddha.

Nakul says, “I find myself lucky that I got an opportunity to work and learn from Sheeba, Rajesh, Raghubir, Jameel (Khan) and all the others. A simple coffee break with Sheeba ma’am can be as good as reading a great philosophical novel. She changes your perspective towards your work and the world around you.”

The actor has featured in short films like Strings and Karma Cafe and is co-producing an upcoming one called Dali based on the famous Spanish surrealist painter. “I consider short films a laboratory. I get to explore my creative side in the most abstract form, then I like to channelise that in my professional projects. I believe that’s where I explore the ‘Pagglait’ within myself. Dali directed by Kabeer Khurana is a beautiful representation of Salvador Dalí and (wife) Gala’s love life through dance and music; we recreated some of his magnificent work through visual effects.”

As an outsider with no showbiz connections how challenging was it for him to make his way in the industry? “I always had a clear vision for myself. My dreams have always been with zero clauses. I like to call them Statements written by the Almighty, and I am just following them. I do not audition until and unless I believe in the project or the team who is involved. Initially it was tough to sail through with this mindset. But my Nana Ji (grandfather) is someone, who has always guided me, and in him, I surrender in any moments of doubts and contemplation.”

Nakul is excited about his upcoming series, Voot Select’s thriller Candy, with Richa Chadha. “Richa is a human being with a heart of gold, and the honesty in her craft is a mere reflection of the honesty she has as a human being. Director Ashish R. Shukla has brought this world to life most majestically. All of us had a razor-sharp focus and a certain amount of madness to create Candy.”

Pagglait is streaming now on Netflix.