#KetchupTalks: "You will see a part of your journey in '13th', and it will resonate with you", says Paresh Pahuja

Scam 2003 fame Gagan Dev Riar and Paresh Pahuja discuss their on- screen chemistry, personal mentors, and the inspiring message of Sony LIV's latest show 13th!

Gagan Dev Riarand Paresh Pahuja are two formidable talents who have established themselves across platforms. Riar, an actor known for bringing remarkable depth and detai to his roles, rose to fame with Sony Liv’s Scam 2003: The Telgi Story after some brief outings across platforms. The show saw him take the OTT world by storm with his nuanced portrayal of the infamous scamster Abdul Karim Telgi. Paresh, on the other hand, has been unleashing his charisma across his acting and music projects. The artist looked super convincing in his big screen debut as the bold and sharp Indian snipper Azaanin the Salman Khan starrer Tiger Zinda Hai and was widely appreciated for his role in the web series Bandish Bandits. As the two exciting actors are now set to share the screen in the SonyLIV show 13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught in Classrooms, which explores the reunion of a former student and teacher to start an ed-tech venture, we sat down with them to discuss the show, it’s core message, and  more!

Also Read: 13th Some Lessons Aren't Taught in Classrooms review: A heartfelt journey of a mentor and his mentee coming full circle!

Stories where human relationships are at the forefront only work if the chemistry between the leads looks organic and embodies the intended spirit of their bond with each other. And if you have at least watched the trailer of the show, you’ll know the leads have scored full in this aspect. So what went behind executing it? Riar quickly responded by explaining, “A lot of things. We got the chance to rehearse with the writer and the director of the show, before going for the shoot. We did the scenes in different ways, and then the director guided us about what he's looking for in the scene, what is the demand of the scene, and we also performed many scenes together before going on the floor. Another thing was when we went for a recce before the shoot, where the director just wanted to see how we look when we are sitting together, when we are doing some scene, what the blocking should be, how the scene will ultimately turn out. And then I remember having a ride back with Paresh in his car and we connected over music. He was playing some Pakistani band, and I was talking about Coke Studio and then we spoke about music in general. All these things brought chemistry while working together. We got to know each other, where we come from, what our acting styles are, and we respected that. We gave each other the space that we need as actors to prepare, but at the same time we discussed scenes,  we sometimes spoke on the phone about certain scenes. We did some lines together. So all the process came together and I think as you suggested that the chemistry is looking beautiful.”

Joining the call slightly later,Pahuja further shared how their bond strengthened further, “I agree with everything he said because when it comes to onscreen chemistry, you can't fool people, just with acting. There has to be a real bond of sorts, and that, we got to explore in the workshop that we got to explore, while just driving around this beautiful city of Bombay. We connected over food and music, so all these things helped and all of that is very visible on screen now that we are also seeing bits of the show.” 

Riar further added his initial feeling towards the trailer and explained the definition of good chemistry on-screen, “When I saw the trailer, what I absolutely loved was there were some scenes where we both were in the frame and even when we were not talking, the two bodies in the frame looked appealing in the sense like you want to know more about what these two bodies are doing on screen, together, what energies they are emitting, and when that feels right, I think the work is done, and that's what filmmaking or this art is all about. It's about making it look like it belongs there, it's at the right place.”

13th is the celebration of teachers who play a crucial role in shaping one’s life, hence, talking about the important figures in their life, the two proudly spoke of their families and the inspiring support they have received from them. Pahuja, gleefully spoke of the influence his grandparents had on him growing up, “There have been many people but I feel the earlier ones actually leave a bigger impact in your life. I spent a good chunk of my childhood with my nana-nani, and they both had a huge role to play in my belief systems, and in my idea of self-worth. My nani was this one person who believed I could do everything. One day I would wake up and I'd say I want to be a cricketer, and she'd be like, "Haan, ban sakta hai chalo, batao kya karna hai, kaha jana hai." And one day I woke up and I said, I want to be a musician, and she said, Great, let's start training. So, just having that one person who believes in you, even when those things are probably not possible, but just showing you the light, in all the darkness around you, that's very important. And my grandparents were that light, because they had so much love to offer and that's more than enough sometimes for you to go ahead and conquer the whole world.”

Riar thought for a while and shared his inspiration and admiration for the silent sacrifices of his family, “Mr. Hansal Mehta and Miss. Mira Nair, are the two directors who I follow and I look for any inspiration. However, if I have to see the entire life, I'll say, your family is something that never stops believing in you, no matter what you're doing. Even in their scoldings or when they're against you about your decisions or when they are for you with your decisions, family is something that you cannot escape. Your entire life goes around it and it might be one person from your family or it might be your entire family. But as a person who wanted to be an actor and struggled for a place, or a recognition for many years, how my mother and my sister waited patiently for so many years was endearing. Even my brother waited patiently, he came for help whenever I needed it, but never disturbed me when I'm in the process. I had that kind of silent support, which is not visible or might not be very out loud, but it's there. So I think my family has been really a big inspiration for me that way.” 

As the duo spoke of the belief that kept them going in an industry as uncertain as this, we asked them about their resonance with the dialogue from the show 'The biggest risk is not taking any risks?’ to which Pahuja confidently responded, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk. I live by this. I take so many risks, sometimes in retrospect I think about it and go ‘Kyu Kiya ye?’ But, I love it. I have taken risks in love. I've taken risks in my career. Like, once in a while, I just squander all my savings and put it on a project that I really believe in. I did my concert last year called the Voice Notes Concert, and there was a risk. I had no idea what's gonna happen with it, but it turned out fine. And I have traveled to a different country just to meet the love of my life. Coming to Bombay, being an actor, everything, every choice I've made has involved a great deal of risk. Bigger the risk, bigger the reward. And, in that moment, you just need a little bit of courage and just that willingness to go ahead and do it. It's important instead of waiting. Instead of just waiting for things to come to you, just take a little bit of risk and go ahead and get it."

Riar reiterated Pahuja’s comments and shared that his life experiences too conveyed the same, “I completely agree with that, the way I got Scam 2003, and the way I actually got my first film Sonchiriya, it's a good example of what Paresh just said. I did not have a house before Sonchiriya, I used to live with 6-7 people and pay 7-8 thousand rent and out of no where my friend said we should get out of it and look for another home together I have some saving and if you too have some, let’s take this risk, it will be a little expensive but let’s still go for it. I did not even have the money to pay for next month’s rent but just when we took the risk, within 15 days I received a call from Honey Trehan saying we want you in this film. I might sound superstitious but looking back, I feel jagah badalne se mahaul badalta hai. Aap jaha ho, vaha pade rahego toh stagnent ho jaoge, aapko chalna padega, nikalna padega. I completely believe in that.”

Finally, we asked the duo about thecore message of the show and what they would want the audience to take away from it? To which Pahuja profoundly asserted, “We're not making any big promises to anybody. We're just saying, come here for yourselves, see a little bit of yourselves in us, and go back with some hope in your heart, that's all. It's a very simple story of just bringing some light to this world, and possibility! Basically, that's the one word for me, possibility and, and how when you have the right people by your side, everything is kind of possible. It's about that connection, it's about that little honesty and authenticity and that’s why we say, we don't come for us, come for yourselves, and you will see a part of your journey in this show, and it will resonate with you. It will give you the words of encouragement that you need for your own startup, or to crack that exam, or, to propose to that girl. Whatever encouragement you need in life, this show will give you the right fuel for it.”Riar playfully snapped, “I’ll try to surpass that” and explained his interpretation of the show, “It's a simple story about second chances. There will always be a second chance, you just have to give it a go, so just watch it for that. Watch it to keep your hope alive for life, and the show gives you that. It will touch that chord where you will feel that, oh, I can go out and start it again.”

13th is now streaming on Sony LIV!

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