2024 is a special year for Patralekhaa. She completed 10 years as an actor in May and earlier this week, she had a film release after a long time in the form of Wild Wild Punjab. The actress talked about her role in the film, why she loves producer Luv Ranjan to death, her decade-long journey in showbiz and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Patralekhaa talks about Wild Wild Punjab; reveals how Luv Ranjan stood by her during her father’s demise: “Without blinking an eyelid, he booked a private charter for us. I’ll love him till my last breath; give my blood to him”
How has been the response for Wild Wild Punjab so far?
My friends and family have really liked it. It’s on OTT and hence, you don’t know at one go how it’s doing. But since last evening, I have been getting a lot of calls and messages and the response seems positive. People are calling it a fun film.
Was it a challenge to shoot in real-life locations?
Real-life locations are always a challenge (smiles). But at the same time, it’s also a fun experience as you get to see different parts of the country. Punjab, anyway, is stunning, especially in the winters. The night shoots were a bit uncomfortable due to the weather. There was a scene where I shot at the goons. It was so cold that mere munh se dialogue bhi nahin nikal raha tha (laughs). Moreover, the car was going fast and on top of it, it was freezing! As a result, no amount of heat patches, jackets, thermals etc. worked. That was the most uncomfortable time at the shoot. Otherwise, we had a lot of fun as we met people from the pind. They offered us food cooked in their homes.
Luv Ranjan wrote and produced Wild Wild Punjab. How was it working with him?
He has the biggest heart that you can ever think of. He’s a giver. If he knows you and if you are close to him, that man can do anything for you. And he did that for me though I am not even that close to him.
I had signed this film with Luv sir. One day, I was shooting for some other show in Film City. I got a call from my father, which I missed as I was shooting. Within half an hour, I called him back but he didn’t pick up. He was in Shimla at that time for work purposes. I could sense something was wrong. I called my mother and Raj (hubby Rajkummar Rao) but their phones were busy. Raj called me back and told me that my father suffered a heart attack. I collapsed on hearing that. This is the time when we were in the midst of the pandemic. Raj also told me that he was getting in touch with Luv sir. Since he is a producer, he felt that he might know someone in that region who could help us.
My sister, Raj and I left immediately for the airport. We were sitting there, not knowing what was happening. And suddenly we see Luv sir with a bag. He left for Shimla with us. When we reached Shimla, my father had already passed away. My mother and my brother were in Shillong. The connectivity between Shillong and Shimla is not easy and also, we were hopeful that my father would get well. So, they were going to arrive the next day.
We knew that we had to take my father’s mortal remains back to Shillong. Luv sir, without blinking an eyelid, booked a private charter for us. For me, he’s my brother and my everything. I’ll love him till my last breath. There are not many people that stand by you. Hence, I’ll give my blood to him. That’s what he means to me.
Luv sir didn’t need to come to Shimla. Who was I? He didn’t know that my father was going to pass away. Nobody needs to book a charter for somebody, not knowing whether that family could afford it or not. But he did. I’ll do anything for him without thinking twice.
Wild Wild Punjab is a film which would have made for a great watch in cinemas amid collective laughter. But it was released directly on Netflix. What are your thoughts?
We made it thinking that it would be a theatrical release. But times are different right now. I guess when the deal was done, films were not doing well theatrically. The theatrical business picked up recently. We knew that this in-your-face comic caper had a chance to score in cinemas. But at the same time, we are also very lucky that Netflix picked it up. The streaming giant has viewership in so many countries; it has reached millions of people and that’s heartening.
Your debut film Citylights completed 10 years this year on May 30. How do you look back at your ten-year journey?
It’s been really tough (laughs), especially the first 7 years. I did work but it was nothing that I thought was extraordinary. Nevertheless, I continued working. The rise of the OTT in the pandemic has gone in my favour. I am now working non-stop, and a lot of my work is going to come out. The journey has now been fulfilling and wholesome. I am also lucky that I am getting such diverse projects, that too with amazing filmmakers. Wild Wild Punjab is just the beginning.
You are a part of the period quirky web show Gulkanda Tales, backed by Raj and DK…
I am so excited for it. It is so special that it is beyond imagination. It should be out in 2024-end or beginning of 2025. Being a part of that was a supreme experience.
Another special project for you must be Phule, co-starring Pratik Gandhi…
Yes, in which I essay the role of Savitribai Phule. I look up to her and will want to be like her. She had a supportive partner who educated her and believed in the education of the girl child. Hence, the experience of working on the film was satisfying.
Besides these two projects, I also have a Netflix show, IC 814.
You and Rajkummar Rao have a lovely bond with Farah Khan…
(smiles) She feeds us a lot of food. I love her; she’s like my elder sister. She’s very munhfat. She just tells things the way it is. I love that quality about her as not many people can do so. Unke ghar pe bahut zyada accha khaana banta hai. I call her ‘Ma’am’ as I really look up to her. Actually, she’s my ma’am and also my friend! The bond is special. Raj and I are blessed to have her in our lives. We don’t have too many friends but the ones we do are so amazing, be it Farah ma’am, Luv sir, etc.
It’ll be interesting to see you in a film directed by Farah Khan…
(Laughs) We are apples and oranges. So, I don’t know about that but hopefully, you’ll see me on her Instagram video!
Also Read: Patralekhaa celebrates 10 years of her debut film CityLights: “I owe a special thanks to Hansal Mehta”
More Pages: Citylights Box Office Collection , Citylights Movie Review
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.
Source Agencies
