Prashant Bhatt is a master when it comes to doing the juggling act!! Not only is he working on new concepts as Producer, but is also busy setting up shows in the fiction and digital space. 

And now, he has also returned to face the camera as actor in Star Plus’ Jaana Na Dil Se Door, produced by close friends Yash and Mamta Patnaik.

Though Prashant is before the camera again after many years, he does not feel that he had moved away from it. “I never felt I had stopped acting because at least for an actor, there is nothing different. It feels like I have picked up things from where I left them yesterday. See, if you ask me about the technical front, I would say that we have moved way ahead in the last few years and there is lot to learn. However for an actor, it is all the same.”

For Prashant, acting happened to him years back as a hobby. And even now, he is very passionate about it. “When compared to being a creative director and producer, acting comes easier to me. It is one of the stress busters, if you ask me. It is tough to call the shots, and easier to follow the shots (smiles).”

Talking about his association with the Producers of Jaana Na, Yash and Mamta Patnaik, he exclaimed, “I could not have asked for a better comeback than Jaana Na. I have known the Producers and people in Star for long now. Also, the DOP and the people in the crew are known. TV is a small world, and you tend to work with the people you know. I am immensely satisfied playing the character of Ramakant. The way Mamta (Patnaik) has penned the entire series is very interesting. They have stood by the brief offered to me, and that’s what makes my role creatively satisfying. As Producers, they provide an element of freedom to actors, and are very flexible and consider the inputs of actors too.”

Prashant plays father to the male protagonist Atharva (Vikram Singh Chauhan) in the show. When asked whether he could have chosen to play a younger character, the actor turned Producer said, “TV is at a phase where age is just a number. We have reached a point where age of an actor is not important; it is the character and the meat in it that’s very important. My character of Ramakant is very important and will drive the story forward.” 

So what exactly prompted Prashant to return to the acting sphere? “Well, recently I was offered a commercial ad, and when I got this call, I thought I should try it out as I have never done ads. So I went to Jaipur and shot for it. The moment I faced the camera, I realized the joy behind doing so. And this turned out to be the triggering point. I immediately felt that I should be doing so more often. 

Coincidentally, after I returned from the ad shoot, I was offered this role in Jaana. And I picked it up. I have enjoyed my stint as an actor, and am keen on taking up more offers after Jaana.”

Prashant truly believes in multi-tasking and feels that it is important to derive a strategy to use the time in hand efficiently. “Yes, there is a lot on my plate, and handling the roles of a Creative Director, Producer and actor is indeed tough. But I believe that whatever happens is for the good. I enjoy challenges and that helps me to be cheerful.”

Way to go, Prashant Bhatt!!