29 October,2026 07:47 PM IST | Mumbai | Rachel Pereira
Pratik Sehajpal. Pic via Instagram
Pratik Sehajpal, who rose to prominence with Bigg Boss 15, believes his journey in the entertainment industry has helped him establish an identity beyond reality television. The actor, who has explored different formats and projects, is now playing a negative character in Story TV's Scam 2024 - The Digital Arrest Story. Speaking exclusively to mid-day, Sehajpal reflects on being keen to keep challenging himself as a performer and is looking forward to exploring more opportunities, including Bollywood films.
When asked whether his reality TV image makes it difficult for people to take him seriously as an actor, Sehajpal says it depends on how one approaches their career. He believes his work has given audiences a chance to see another side of him. "I think everyone recognises me as an actor now more than a reality show contestant," he says. He adds, "I think I have done enough of acting for me to not be a reality show contestant only."
On choosing a negative character, Sehajpal says he was drawn to the challenge of portraying a different side of human behaviour. "As an actor, we should be open to doing all kinds of characters," he says, explaining that he wanted to take on something challenging. "To portray a negative emotion, to portray a negative image" was an experience he wanted to explore. He adds that convincing audiences with a negative role can be satisfying when one considers oneself a positive person.
Reflecting on whether he has received the opportunities his talent deserves or is still proving himself, Sehajpal said, "It's a journey. It's not like one moment you step into the battlefield and you win immediately," he says. He believes that getting everything one desires immediately could diminish its value. "If a person immediately gets everything that he desires, the value of that desire would diminish," he says, adding that he feels he has received the right opportunities and is on the right path.
For the Naagin 6 actor, career growth is not about proving his critics wrong but about becoming the performer he has always wanted to be. "Honestly, proving anyone wrong is not at all my goal," he says.
The actor is also clear about wanting to explore Bollywood films. "Of course, that is the goal," he says, adding that he wants to keep pushing himself. "To go beyond and to keep going beyond and beyond. I am all positive."
With Diwali being a time for reflection and new beginnings, Sehajpal was asked what negativity he would like to leave behind. The actor, however, said, "I already don't have any barriers or any regrets."
Rather than distancing himself from difficult experiences, Sehajpal chooses to accept them as everything happens for the best. He believes that everything he has been through has contributed to the man he is today, and does not wish to separate those experiences from his identity. "It's all a part of me in my life," he says.
Emphasising his willingness to embrace his past, the actor adds, "So, I am really happy, really going to embrace everything and accept myself like I always did." For Sehajpal, the focus appears to be on accepting himself as he is and continuing to move forward without holding on to regrets. Scam 2024 - The Digital Arrest Story is now streaming on the Story TV app.
