Talented Prateikament

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Films are keeping Prateik Babbar very busy but the versatile actor does make time for his other interests. Confessing his love for cricket, bowling, body building and adventure sports, he says, “I wanted to be a cricketer when I was growing up, and would have been a successful one. But when I was in college, I kept missing classes for cricket training and there was a budding actor in me too, so that was it. I also love heavy metal and could have been a musician too.”
He adds, “I’m on a roller-coaster ride with a multi-city tour, travelling to over 12 cities in 12 days to promote Issaq that’s releasing on July 26. I was 22 when I signed this film and I’m 26 now! I was acting in Kiran Rao’s Dhobhi Ghaat then.”
We wonder what the reason is for the film’s delay and Prateik shares, “It’s a large scale film and needed a producer. It’s basically a Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet saga that’s set in Benaras, with director Manish Tiwari’s twists and turns. I would say if anyone wants to learn micro-management then one should meet Manish. He has a great attention to detail. It also took a couple of years to find the heroine, which is also the reason why the film took so long. Amyra fit the role perfectly.”
Son of late actress Smita Patil and actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar, Prateik made his debut with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and was rumoured to have painted the city red with Amy Jackson, his heroine in Ekk Deewana Tha. Talking about Amyra, Prateik reveals, “I didn’t know her earlier, but now we’re very good friends. We were put together for three months to practice our dialects, body language and chemistry. We explored Benaras, went to the local lanes, carts, enjoyed the malai lassis and other local food there. I’ve worked hard for this film and hope it does well, but if it doesn’t, I’m ready to work harder.”
He’s also known for his proximity to all the Khans. We nudge him on who’s the closest, but Prateik diplomatically says, “I have great respect for Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh Khan, each of them in a different way.”
What next? Prateik says, “I’m working on Rum Pum Posshh!, which is a psychological thriller.” We wish him all the luck!