Pavan Malhotra takes charge as CEO in Riteish Deshmukh starrer 'Pill': A look into his role in the web series

Pill marks the debut of Riteish Deshmukh in web series, with Pavan Malhotra portraying the lead antagonist in the narrative focused on the murky world of pharmaceutical ethics. With a career spanning over four decades, Malhotra, known for his roles in "Salaam Bombay" and "Black Friday," brings his seasoned talent to this web series. 

Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta and produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP, "Pill" casts Malhotra as the CEO of a pharmaceutical company embroiled in controversy. His portrayal promises to enrich the series with his trademark intensity and depth, showcasing why he remains a stalwart in Indian cinema.

To learn more about his character in the series and the preparation he went through, the actor engaged in an exclusive conversation with India Forums.

What drew you to this particular project?

See, when I got a call for this, to begin with, a very good producer, Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP, and then the director—you know, I'd worked with him, he was an associate director in Black Friday, but he was not directing; he was an associate. And then he started directing his film as an independent director. From what I saw, most of it I really liked the way he directed and the subjects he picked up.

If you see, every set of his, every film of his was different and very well made. So I was also happy when I got a call from him. And then we met, and I was told about this subject. So, I was aware of these kinds of things 10–12 years ago. And this happened, you know. Of course, what we are showing is all fiction, but based on an incident that everybody knows. If you see my career, I've done all sorts of films, but mostly socially relevant ones. I've worked in this way. And it feels good to do this.

It is not that the government has not tried. The government has tried, but it is also true that if you make a law, then people find five ways to break it. A lot of people are involved.

- Pavan Malhotra

It's also a challenge when you are associated with such things. Most people have always appreciated it. And this subject is also associated with everyone. We have seen that in the whole world, there are a lot of medicines that have been used. And then, after a few years, someone says that this is harmful, these are the side effects, which were not told at that time. And those medicines which are also withdrawn, they continue to be used in some countries.

Since the days of Salim Langda Pe Mat Ro, I kept growing my hair and moustache for years. I had weird hair. I had long hair. During Bagh Bahadur, I had long hair, a moustache, a big earring in my ears, and a beard for Black Friday. I had long hair for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

- Pavan Malhotra

And this is what you said about medicines, trials. I've heard a lot of cases where people didn't even know that they were being used for trials. They were guinea pigs, and their reactions could be that their life could be lost, or their bodies could be badly affected. All that happened. In the case of trials, it was also heard that the matter is fake. A lot of medicines are not ready but also they are available in the market.

So it is not necessary that we can give any solution. People should think about it. It is not that the government has not tried. The government has tried, but it is also true that if you make a law, then people find five ways to break it. A lot of people are involved. They also have a part in that profit. We are showing a story like this. It will start on July 12. It will be shown in Jiocinemas. I will request everyone to watch it once.

You have to understand the character from the inside. First, you have to understand the subject and then the character.

- Pavan Malhotra

In ‘Pill,’ your character portrays the CEO of a pharmaceutical company involved in unethical clinical trials. How did you prepare to play this character? 

You have to prepare for every character. When you do a biopic, you need to collect a lot of information. You get to know the character's body language. But if you do any character, I don't know how much you have followed me, but since the days of Salim Langda Pe Mat Ro, I kept growing my hair and moustache for years. I had weird hair. I had long hair. During Bagh Bahadur, I had long hair, a moustache, a big earring in my ears, and a beard for Black Friday. I had long hair for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. I have tried to do a lot of work like this. And this is a matter of look.

You have to understand the character from the inside. First, you have to understand the subject and then the character. There are two things that begin with. You receive the script and then have a discussion, and then you sit with the director. In such cases, the entire team was present. In the first two meetings, as an actor, you just want to hear their point of view. How they see the story or how they want to listen to the story. Or what they think about the script. Then you read and add your own things as an actor. 

So the writer, director, actor, and the research team pull together. And then you give them a look. What kind of look do you want to show? What kind of clothes do you wear? The way it will start, the way the stature will be. If you are doing a Sardar, the way you wear a turban is also important. Because there is a difference in that too. So you mix all this together and work on your character. You do the work of an actor. If I look at a 40-year-old career, God has saved respect. And only God gives such work. And then it is your job to put your 100% and enjoy it.