Exclusive: Prateik Babbar on 'Bachchhan Paandey', 'Brahmastra', 'Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan' and more...

Prateik Babbar is all set for the release of his upcoming film 'Bachchhan Paandey' starring Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon and Arshad Warsi. The film's trailer and songs are receiving a lot of appreciation and love from the audience. The actor, who was down with COVID about a month ago, has now recovered and is back to the grind. Excited for 'Bachchhan Paandey', he sits down for a candid conversation with ETimes, and speaks about his experience working with Akshay, how he reacts to negative comments, his 'role' in Ayan Mukerji's 'Brahmastra', working with Taapsee Pannu in 'Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan' and more. Excerpts:
Tell us about your character in 'Bachchhan Paandey'.
I am not allowed to reveal much, but I am a part of Akshay sir's gang. Akshay sir is Bachchhan Paandey, he has a gang and we are a part of his gang. He is a hitman, an assassin, people hire him to kill people. You will see why I couldn't reveal much about the character after you watch the film. All I can say is my name in the film is Virgin.
How was your experience working with Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon and Arshad Warsi?
This was my first time with all three of them actually. Akshay sir and Arshad sir have always been my teenage heroes. Arshad sir is full of energy, he is a riot, he always has people in splits on sets. Akshay sir, obviously, has been a teenage hero and the only prominent action star when we were younger. From 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari' till now, I have been a fan and now I got to work with him. Kriti is a sweetheart and very hardworking, we had some fun moments and scenes together in the film.

What about 'Brahmastra'?
I am not in 'Brahmastra'! I must tell you that I have been asked about 'Brahmastra' since the past three or four years. But every single time, I have to keep clarifying that I am not in the film. I also, share a joke with every person interviewing about 'Brahmastra' that I am going to finally call Ayan Mukerji and say, 'Listen brother, you damn well put me in that film because everybody thinks I am in that film. And everybody has been asking me for the past three years.' Yeh interview khatam karke me Ayan ko phone karne wala hu aur bolunga bhai, film khatam ho ya na ho, mujhe koi farak nahi padta, ek scene lagao, mujhe us movie me daal do. So that yeh sab drama khatam hojayega. Next time se main kahunga, 'Jee haan me hu.' Jokes apart, I am not in the film.
It's actually IMDb's fault or I don't know whose fault it is! I am just going to call Ayan and say, forget putting me in the film, I am going take a fee. It's about time you pay for the work I haven't done but everybody thinks I have. A few crores here and there, I wouldn't mind! I am just kidding.
You're also working with Taapsee Pannu in 'Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan'...
I have finished the film with Taapsee. It's a lovely film, lovely message. If I have to reveal the message in a brief way then it is - Never judge a book by its cover, read first, understand the back story first. It's a comedy and thriller, I am very excited about it.
After 'Gehraiyaan' released, it became a topic of discussion whether an actress should take permission from her husband before doing intimate scenes onscreen. Your thoughts?
I don't think there's a permission that needs to be involved but definitely have a conversation about it or not, depends from person to person. Maybe actresses like that exist who have to take permission from their spouses. In my opinion, I think it's wrong. Because the spouse needs to respect what the other spouse is doing. Firstly, the husband of an actress should know that this is what her career demands and it comes with a territory. This comes with the territory, being an artist or actor. Communication is the key. You must have a conversation about it, you must be on the same page. But taking permission? Aap meri maa ho? Aap mere baap ho? I absolutely disagree with the fact that I have to take permission. I do agree and firmly stand for having a conversation about it.Kaun hote ho aap mujhe permission dene wale? Mera career hai, apne pairon pe khade hokar hum kaam karte hain. Main apne baap se permission nahi leta! Pardon my language. I don't expect my partner to ask me for permission, definitely expect to have a conversation about it. Permission is I think a wrong word.
Unless there are relationships wherein a man or a woman is frightened about their partner. Let me tell you, that relationship is going nowhere. Let me give you valid information that a relationship like that is going nowhere. It would be destroyed in no time and become toxic in no time.
How do you react to negative comments?
I take it with pinch of salt. I wasn't good at accepting negativity before, but you live, you learn, you grow and now I take it with pinch of salt. We live in a world full of opinions and everybody has a right to have opinions. I may not like it but you find ways to cope with it and rise above it.
If the negative feedback is legitimate negative feedback, then I am somebody who would use that to better myself. If it is absolute nonsense, I won't even bother. I will use it as motivation if legitimate and related to my performance, my acting or as an artist.