Exclusive - Mardaani 3's villain Prajesh Kashyap reveals it was difficult to hide his work from friends, says 'I was not doing any other screen work'

Prajesh Kashyap exclusive interview

• Mardaani 3 praised for Rani Mukerji and Prajesh Kashyap's roles
• Kashyap shares insights on playing the film's main antagonist
• He calls working with Rani Mukerji an honor and learning experience

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Ever since Mardaani 3 hit theatres, the film has been earning praise from both audiences and the film fraternity, with Rani Mukerji’s performance, in particular, drawing loud applause.

Amid all the appreciation, actor Prajesh Kashyap, who plays Ramanujan the film’s lead male antagonist, has also found himself in the spotlight.

In an exclusive chat with Moneycontrol, Prajesh Kashyap opened up about what it feels like to step into a franchise that people hold close, the pressure of living up to the legacy of Mardaani, and the discipline it took to keep the project under wraps for nearly a year because Yash Raj Films wanted strict secrecy.

He also spoke about sharing screen space with Rani Mukerji, the lessons he picked up simply by watching her work, and why he is not worried about being boxed into villain roles.

Excerpts from the interview: 

Mardani is known for its intense villains. What was your first reaction when you were offered this role?

Prajesh: My first reaction when I was offered, I was auditioning knowing that this is the antagonist. So when I got the part, I was thrilled. I was overjoyed that I have got the opportunity. But at the same time, I was very aware that it is a part of a franchise that has done so well, that people have loved all over the world and that people feel very personal. They think Mardani is their film. So I was aware of the fact that this was an opportunity but also a big responsibility. And that I would have to put in everything, blood, sweat, tears, heart, efforts, everything. And I tried to do that when I got to know that I have gotten the part. It was an overwhelming feeling but at the same time, it was a responsibility that I have tried to do justice to.

How did you prepare to play Ramanujan? Did you draw from real life references or build him entirely from your imagination?

Prajesh: No, of course, the first place where an actor meets the character is the script. So a lot of it was already in the script. And I spoke to the writer about it. My director played a huge role in sharing his vision of Ramanujan with me. I have met Adi sir twice where he also had his inputs about what he thinks of the character. So there were inputs from all the different places which helped me in creating Ramanujan. Of course, my director from the first day made sure that I bring my flavor to the part. So there was work that I had to put in. To make the character interesting and believable. But yeah, I think it was conversations with my director, conversations with my writer, my own interpretation of the character, the script, which informed my choices of playing Ramanujan.

How was it sharing screen space with Rani Mukherjee?

Prajesh: It was an absolute delight. An opportunity of a lifetime. Being starstruck every day. Pinching yourself coming back home. Being on set and telling yourself, calm down, calm down. So yeah, it was a true honor to work with ma'am. To learn from ma'am. To see her do what she does with sheer brilliance. An opportunity of a lifetime. To talk to her, to spend time with her. I was thrilled. Thoroughly thrilled and I really enjoyed every moment of spending time with her and sharing screen space. It was lovely.

Did she give you any advice that stayed with you?

Prajesh: I think she told me that. I mean, she never told me anything. In the sense that she did not give me any advice as to this is what you should keep in mind. Because the way she does her job, if you just see that, there is a lot to learn. From seeing her do what she does. Once, I don't know if she remembers, but I think we had done a scene and it was an intense scene. And she said, I think you have the perseverance and the patience to do this for many years. And that for me was a very special moment. Because ma'am gives her 100% to every shot that you see and which you have seen in the movie. And she demands and she expects that all the other actors are also on that level. Playing with her as an equal. So, there was no advice as such. But the fact that you do whatever you can to the best of your ability to make sure that we give the best shot. Because that is what matters. Because that is what audiences are going to look at. And nothing else will matter. That is what she told me actually. Now that I am thinking about it. Whatever we do on screen, people will just look at it and remember it. So, give your best shot in that. That I will never forget.

What makes Mardani 3 different from the other two?

Prajesh: The fact that it's a different tiling of a story I think. Yes, the story is different. Yeah, I think it also tries to explore evil in a very different light. Because your antagonist is coming from a very different background. Sociopolitical background. Right? It's a very different kind of villain. The villain is in the mind. You know, this is the guy who is saying I am a businessman. I am doing scientific research. I want to make money. And he is also saying I am a capitalist. So, I think the story and the screenplay are totally different from the one and the two. I mean, of course, it's still centered around horrible crimes against women. That is the theme of all three films. But I think it has different characters, different stories. I think which makes it perhaps interesting and not taking away from the fact that I think the first and the second Mardani were also absolutely brilliant. But I think it has its own color. It has its own nature. It has its own director. It has its own writer. It has its own antagonist. So, I think they bring a totally different flavor to it. Which differentiates it from the other two.

Do you think cinema today has a responsibility to address real-life issues?

Prajesh: I think cinema reflects life. And I don't know about responsibility as much as I think that cinema is a reflection of life. The world that we live in, our stories come from there. Our heroes and villains come from there. I definitely think that cinema has the power to educate, empower, aware people. Make them aware of things that they don't know of. I think filmmakers, depending on how one even looks at it. Because I think people make movies from very very different perspectives. There are people who make movies for socio-political change. There are people who make movies for commerce and entertainment. There are people who make movies for having a voice and telling their stories. I think different filmmakers have different perspectives. I think cinema is a reflection of the time that we are living in. And it definitely has the power to make people feel and see. And we must use that power responsibly. I think it's important for us to recognize the power of cinema. And to use that power consciously and responsibly.

Was the set always intense or were there fun moments too?

Prajesh: Yeah, I think we had a great time making this movie. The thing is that the set has to be fun for actors. For everyone to feel comfortable. And for everyone to give it their best. We can't give our best if we are not feeling fully relaxed. And fully comfortable. So, the set was great fun. And which is why you can feel the intensity that you feel on screen. Of course, everybody takes their job very seriously. And everybody is giving their 200% into everything. And that includes all the departments. You know, from costume and hair and makeup. You know, the camera department, the DOP. The sound department. So, everyone takes their work very seriously. But I don't think we should take ourselves too seriously. Because we had our own kind of messy also. And we did not take ourselves seriously. We took our job seriously. And I think which is why we had a good time making the movie.

You weren’t allowed to speak about this project for almost a year. How was that?

Prajesh: Difficult. Because, you know, when you meet actors. When you meet friends and when you meet family. They usually ask, what else is going on? What are you doing? So, then I used to be like, something is going on. And I will be like, something will come next year. You know what happens to actors. We shoot something. Then when does it come? So, family was a bit prepared. Because I answer them like this. You know, there are such things. You shot something today. You shot an ad today. It is coming after 2-3 years. True. But it was very difficult. Because I was not doing any other screen work. You know, because one just wanted to prepare. And one wanted to keep one's face and one's presence fresh for this. It was difficult. But I think it was also incredible. Because I think as an actor to be able to work on a project for an entire year. Where you are thinking, reading only about your character. Completely immersed in it. It's a privilege. It's an honour. And to be honest, if I get an opportunity like this again. I will do it. If I am told that there is a project where this is the part. It's going to be challenging. And it's going to be this long. I am very happy that I am ready to disappear from the world for another year. I enjoy doing this a lot. Because all your energies are focused on that. And what comes out of it is something else. So, I enjoyed it. But at the same time, it was very difficult.

Are you scared of being typecast as a villain?

Prajesh: No. Because I think that if it's a good villain in another project, I would love to do it. Because as an actor, you want to do parts that challenge you. You want to do parts that tell important good stories. If you are talking about the fear of being typecast, I don't know. Because after people watching Ramanujan, a lot of people told me to do something rom-com. They want to see me doing something nice and fun and romantic. So, I also think that one of the other things about Ramanujan's character is that it opens room for versatility. It's not out and out, you know. Just kind of like deadly and gruesome. I am excited to do whatever work comes my way. That challenges me, that excites me. Whether it is a villain, whether it is a hero. I am ready for it. But it should be something that makes me feel the same level of passion and excitement and challenge that this film did for me.