Prateik Smita Patil fires back at gay rumors, "Stop the Gossip!"

Actor Prateik Smita Patil recently opened up about the rumors surrounding his sexual orientation, which became more prominent following his portrayal of a queer character in the film Cobalt Blue. In a candid interview with Bollywood Bubble, Prateik clarified that while many assumed he was gay, he is, in fact, straight.

He explained that the rumors likely stemmed from his role in the 2022 film, where he played a character caught in a complex romantic dynamic. However, Prateik emphasized that these assumptions were unfounded and shared his respect for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He further acknowledged that his Hollywood counterparts are more open about their sexuality, which he believes is less of a topic of controversy compared to Bollywood.

Reflecting on his personal experiences, Prateik recalled that during his younger years, he was frequently approached by men, some of whom presumed he was gay. He pointed out that this attention became more pronounced after the #MeToo movement, which shifted how people approach such situations. “Earlier, in my 20s, I was getting a lot of male attention. It was very direct. After #MeToo, people have become more cautious,” Prateik shared. Despite these interactions, he stressed that he handled the attention with respect and maturity, focusing on managing the situation with care.

Prateik also noted the difference in the approach to sexual identity between Bollywood and Hollywood, where the latter is more accepting and supportive of different sexual orientations. This openness, he believes, helps in normalizing the conversation around sexuality in a more progressive way.

Cobalt Blue, a film adapted from the novel by Sachin Kundalkar, explores themes of love and family dynamics through a brother and sister’s shared infatuation with the same man. Prateik’s role further fueled the speculation about his sexuality, but the actor remains firm in his stance about the untruthfulness of such claims.

On the work front, Prateik was recently seen in HIT: The Third Case, starring alongside Nani, continuing to engage audiences with his versatile performances.