Sarika Sanjot: Pratik Gandhi takes 15 mins to become the character

Gandhi with director Sanjot

Pratik Gandhi quickly followed up the raging success of Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story by bagging interesting projects in Bollywood, including Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? opposite Taapsee Pannu and a yet-untitled rom-com with Vidya Balan. But not many know that another Gandhi-starrer, Kahani Rubber Band Ki, is ready and eyeing a release. Debutant director Sarika Sanjot says that the actor had simultaneously shot for the film and Hansal Mehta's web series, wrapping up the former just before the first wave of the pandemic hit.

The social drama, which highlights the importance of using condoms, also features television actors Manish Raisinghan and Avika Gor. "Pratik plays Manish's lawyer and friend. He was the perfect fit for the role. When Pratik hears the script, he asks questions about his character and gives inputs, but leaves the final call to the director. When you give his scene to him, he doesn't require rehearsals. He takes only 15 minutes before the shot to become the character. He was shooting Scam 1992 at the time and knew that it would do well; despite that, he was so humble," says Sanjot, who has also written and co-produced the movie.

While the film was initially slated to hit theatres in March 2020, the pandemic played spoilsport. Co-producer Naresh Dudani says, "We wanted to have a theatrical release, but now, we may not have a choice as everything is so unpredictable [due to the third wave]." The makers are now contemplating an OTT premiere for the film, which will be Gandhi's second Bollywood release after Bhavai (2021). The director adds, "We completed the post-production through the lockdown and are now looking at an OTT release."