Pratik Gandhi is one of the most celebrated and relatable actors in Bollywood. While his struggle to get the right kind of roles went on for years, one show changed his life overnight. It was in Scam 1992 that he unleashed his true inner Gujarati. Speaking of Gujarati, the actor is excited to visit Surat for Navratri after 20 years.
You can take a
Gujarati out of Gujarat, but you can never take the city and its surroundings out of a Gujarati. Praik Gandhi, who hails from Surat, lived most of his teenage life in the city. He shifted to Mumbai 20 years ago in search of fame.
Pratik Gandhi on visiting Surat for Navratri
In a recent interview, the actor opened up on his blurry memories of celebrating Navratri in Surat, playing Garba and drenching into the spirit of festivities. He relived some memories from his hometown and cherished the good old Garba days.
'I am planning to go to Surat for at least a couple of days for Navratri because the vibrant atmosphere and energy there during this time are unparalleled,' Pratik shared.
Also Read: Ten Interesting Facts You Must Know About The Versatile Pratik GandhiHe further added, 'These traditional dance forms are deeply rooted in the culture. The spirit of unity and joy is very different as people come together to play garba and worship. I don't remember buying tickets to go to these events. Chote shehron mein aise festivals ka alag maza hota hai. Waha har din ka alag khaana hota hai, bazaaro mein jaakar kapde khareedne ka maza hota hai.'
He further elaborated on how Mumbai's Garba and Dandiya celebrations are highly different from those in Gujarat. Undoubtedly, Mumbai celebrates the festival with glizt and glamour, but Pratik Gandhi feels it is rather commercialized and lacks the authentic charm that his hometown has to offer.
Aslo Read: 5 Garba Songs From Bollywood Films That Will Get You In The Spirit Of Navratri'In Mumbai, garba and dandiya nights have taken on a more commercialized approach. It's more about purchasing passes for attending organized events than experiencing the authentic essence of these traditional dances,' he shares.
This is something that bothers him. 'I sometimes feel that my daughter won't be able to experience the same cultural richness that I did as a child,' the
Scam 1992 actor said.
He further elaborated, 'She is a child of this generation who needs a proper scientific explanation for everything. Hence, I have to read up and explain why we fast during the Navratras, why we avoid eating non-vegetarian food during this season, why Dusshera is celebrated, and more. And I am sure this visit to Gujarat will give her an experience of what I have seen while growing up. I want her to learn these things and understand why we do what we do.'
When in Mumbai, Pratik Gandhi's Navratri ritual is all about celebrating with friends and close ones.
'There are several friends of mine who perform during Navratra. So I visit them and attend the events with family. Apart from that, we go pandal-hopping and spend time together at home. But there is one thing we do every year with the utmost faith. Humaare ghar me 9 din tak akahand diya jaalaya jaata hai, and we all make sure it's done in a proper way," he concluded.
