Prabal Panjabi - Cinema Is A Huge Playground Where People Bring Their Own Game (Actor)

Relevance is subjective. From a social perspective, we could always be telling better stories. People go to the cinema for so many different reasons, there's a working class population who goes for absolute entertainment after a grueling week's labor, there are people who enjoy storytelling and narratives, there is the intellectual class who would bring in world cinema in every conversation they've been a part of.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I grew up in Noida which was an army services town back in the 90s with wide roads and greenery around. I did my schooling at Dps Noida. I was a good student until I discovered my love for the stage in class 8th and was completely taken in by performance and writing. I dedicated the next 4 years enjoying it completely, both in school and competitions otherwise. 

Playing a sport has always been an integral part of growing up whether it was Cricket, (hours and years were spent in the park opposite the home I grew up in) Badminton, tennis squash and football. Sports and Acting, both are mediums that involved performance and being present took precedence over and above everything. 

I was going to study abroad when through some twist of fate I got admission into a college in Mumbai and I told myself if I can make it as an actor or anything to do with film it would surely be great.

College was an extension of where school had finished. All my attention was again focused on stage or anywhere wherein my creative energies could be explored on stage, college festivals, radio plays, short films, all of them, 3 years of absolute adventure right next to Marine drive. Absolute blast alongside some testing times in a new city as well. 

Since then it's been a journey of living in Mumbai and being a part of few films, some plays and a whole lot of life experiences. 

2. How important it is, according to you, that relevant stories are told?

Relevance is subjective. From a social perspective, we could always be telling better stories. People go to the cinema for so many different reasons, there's a working class population who goes for absolute entertainment after a grueling week's labor, there are people who enjoy storytelling and narratives, there is the intellectual class who would bring in world cinema in every conversation they've been a part of. What is relevant to who?

Cinema is a huge playground where people bring their own game. 

A story is a story, how well it's told is the craft. 
Not just relevant stories, inspiring ones, even ordinary ones. 
We seldom pay attention to the ordinary. 

We all loved listening to stories while growing up, watching them as we grew up and now hoping to be a part of creating them.

3. Do you tend to carry a part of the characters you portray with you?

Initially yes and it was a bit of the problem, then you learn to dissociate and realize this isn't who you are. 

To quote Tim Roth from a recent interview 
There are things that you get into to pay the rent... And it hurts you, actually hurts you, doing things that you don't believe in. I've been in a position where it's been agony. It's demoralizing. But sometimes you go like, “Should I do this...?” for the same reason, and it ends up being one of the best experiences you've had! 

 4. Is there any character you wish you got to portray? If so, how different would have portrayed it?

• Balram in the White Tiger that's slated to come out
• Sunil Gavaskar's part in the 83 film that's also going to come up 

Can never compare it to the actors who are playing the parts. They deserve it which is why they've got the part. I would just squeeze out my own juice for both those parts. 

5. Can an actor reach a point of stagnancy where they don't have anything new to learn?

Everyone has plateau's in their life or career. Stagnancy happens when one stops moving. I have had them. Just get up and move. Break your barriers and limits. 
Just got to keep flowing and growing. 

6. How important is introspection for an actor?

To each their own i guess. Actors are all unique creatures with their own methods and instincts and experiences. It's natural to introspect. I guess that's how you learn. 

7. What's your opinion of OTT platforms enabling so many actors to get entry to the world of entertainment ?

Absolutely amazing. A lot of great actors in this city have been getting the roles they deserve and much more. The Charm of the Old school superstar is being bridged, we'll miss that, but some amazing people and actors I have known and worked with have been getting their due. 

Prabal Panjabi (Actor)

Instagram id -  @prabalpanjabi

Interviewed by : Adit Koul