Not straightforward to make a comeback after 20 years: Rakesh Pandey

After appearing in a number of episodes of Shyam Benegal’s Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), National Award-winning movie Suraj ka Satwan Ghoda (1992) and plenty of extra reveals, Lucknowite Rakesh Pandey went on an extended break.

It was solely after 23 lengthy years that he made a comeback with Kapil Sharma’s Firangi in 2017 and since then it has been extra work for him. Pandey has 5 tasks lined up for launch this 12 months.

“There were family and personal reasons that I had to come back and could not return to Mumbai. I kept doing serials and plays in Lucknow to satisfy the creative urge in me. Acting ka keeda was there in me and I wanted to go back. In 2016, I got a call from the casting associate for Firangi which released a week before my daughter’s marriage. And then I decided that I won’t stop myself now,” says the Bharatendu Natya Academy alumnus.

Since then, Pandey has been a part of many different tasks, “I did Ritam Srivastava’s movie which later launched as web-series Beehad Ka Bagi (2020), Abis Rizvi’s movie T for Taj Mahal and Nikhil Bhatt’s movie Hurdang (2022). I’ve accomplished shoot for movies PMT, Dhatura, Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jaayenge, Kutub Minar and Chal Zindagi. This week I wrapped shoot for net collection The Lawyers Show with Pawan Malhotra in Prayagraj, he says.

Pandey needs to work extra however continues to be selective. “See, I have worked with both legendary and new film makers so now I want to do content-driven projects. Length could be small but should be able to create an impact. My guru and guide Raj Bisaria sir, then BNA director, has taught me quality over quantity. For over two decades, I didn’t do any films, it was tough but thanks to the family support and my friends of 80s and 90 they kept the hope alive. Honestly, it’s not easy to make a comeback but no one can stop you when destiny has written it for you,” says Pandey.

The actor, 62, now thinks he ought to shift to Mumbai. “When your casting is done from Mumbai it does make a lot of difference. We are not happy with the remuneration and treatment of the casting people towards to the local artistes here. Kam kaam karengey par accha karenge and with respectable fees and proper treatment! I have friends like Sanjay (Mishra) who have encouraged me a lot and three of my five films are with him, this makes a lot of difference.”