Director Hansal Mehta brought humor and deep insights to the Cinevesture International Film Festival in Chandigarh. Speaking with actor Pratik Gandhi, he shared thoughts on filmmaking, casting, and his latest series on Mahatma Gandhi.
Mehta joked about ‘lazy casting’ bringing him back to Pratik, who plays Gandhi in the series. Interestingly, Applause Entertainment cast Pratik first before approaching him to direct. Pratik, having portrayed Gandhi on stage for years, was a natural choice.
Pratik shared his admiration for Gandhi, particularly his moral stubbornness and simplicity. He believes these qualities are relevant even today. Mehta agreed, stating that non-violence is essential not just in politics but in everyday life too.
The series is based on historian Ramachandra Guha’s books. Mehta avoided revealing too much but promised a more human portrayal of Gandhi rather than just the Mahatma figure. He believes long-form storytelling is ideal for such a complex personality.
On the state of Bollywood, Mehta admitted the industry is under pressure, but insists good content will always find its audience. He is confident in OTT’s potential but warns that even digital platforms are becoming formulaic.
Taking risks has been part of his journey, from Scam 1992 to his latest venture into Punjabi cinema. Mehta believes true disruption comes from artists, not platforms, and praises companies like Applause Entertainment for backing bold projects.