Faisal Malik, who was looking for the right path for himself in Mumbai by becoming an assistant and a line producer, had no idea then that all this would be made easy by his acting. His acting journey, which started in 2012 with the film 'Gangs of Wasseypur 2', has today made him known in every household as Prahlad Cha of 'Panchayat'.
Where did the idea of acting come from?
During my school days, I was such that I just didn't want to study, and get everything else done. After a few years, I went to my elder brother in Mumbai. I thought I would do acting, so I got myself admitted to an acting school. I joined a gym, but I flopped within three-four months.
Mumbai sets you right, you have to work hard here first. After some time, seeing the rising inflation, I thought I should forget acting. Then I thought I should do Mass Com. Filmmaking is also included in it. In this way, I started my life while learning. Worked in two-three channels. Made films..produced them. While doing all this, I came into acting.
Did you do any other work apart from the film industry? I heard you also set out to become a lawyer?
When I was in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), I worked in car finance. I was not even able to sell a car there. Then there was an uncle who had opened a PCO, so I used to work there for three hours.
I also set out to become a lawyer. It was a five-year course. My family members asked me to give the entrance exam. I gave the entrance exam and got through. But there are many lawyers in my family, so I surrendered. I knew that if something happens to me, these people will save me.
When did you get your first acting opportunity?
When I used to do small productions, I got a chance in 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. I was in the production team there. An actor left, so I just went in his place and acted.
Panjan Tripathi was opposite you in 'Wasseypur'. It was the first shoot. What was on your mind?
There was nothing like that at that time. The scene I had with Pankaj ji was being shot in a real slaughterhouse. There was so much stench there that at that time, the only thing on my mind was to quickly get out of the scene and run away. It was later that I came to know that this character still had five-six more scenes. I said, I am trapped. When the film was released, people remembered that man. Even after this film, I did not act for some time. Panchayat has changed everything for me.
How did you get Panchayat?
One day the creators of this show Deepak Mishra and Chandan came to me and said that they are casting me in this show. I said- I will not be able to do it. I am doing something else right now. But, they had a lot of faith in me. All the credit for the success goes to them.
How is your bonding with Sachiv ji (Jitendra Kumar)?
Before doing this show, I was a fan of Jeetu. Jeetu used to do a thing called Munna Jajbaati. I stopped him once and said that I am a fan. We are very good friends right now.
There are big actors like Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav in the series. How is your chemistry with them?
These two people are the strength of the show 'Panchayat'. Their energy and their experience. They have taught us. Even if there is a dialogue in the scene with others, they stand still. I say that it is a blessing that both of them are with us. I am very grateful to both of them.
I have heard that they are going to contest the assembly elections next season? Will they become an MLA?
Chandan writes something different. He will not write what you think. Nothing is known right now. The script has not come.
Even after Prahlad Cha, Faisal Malik is down-to-earth. How has he kept himself away from the intoxication of stardom?
All the people, including family and friends, make up a very big group of people. If anything happens right or left, they have so much power that they can even beat me up. Everyone has told me to behave properly. Parents have set it in us that we will talk to the person in front of us with respect. Brother, friend, wife, everyone keeps a strict rule.
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