Prahlad Cha came to the newsroom. Film stars coming to the newsroom is not a big deal. They keep coming. They want publicity and we want viewers and readers, but meeting Faisal Malik, who plays Prahlad Cha in the web series ‘Panchayat’ felt different. ‘Panchayat’ is in every household because of its qualities. Yes, it is a web series. A story that takes the viewers to the green organic politics of the village without any spice. Characters that seem like one of us. An arrogant son-in-law like one or two in every village. This series had everything.
There were many heroes in ‘Panchayat’ season 1. In season 2 too, many characters left their mark on people’s minds, but in season 3, Prahlad Cha appeared to be the hero. Most people praised this character. When he came on the news floor, many people could not even recognize him. His butt body in the series seemed a bit pale in comparison.
On seeing the interview taking place and asking, it was found out that he is Prahlad Cha from ‘Panchayat’. The interviewer Prateek Shekhar also asked the same question as his first question- ‘Does anyone know you by the name of Faisal Malik?’ He laughed and said- ‘You are right. Everyone knows you by the name of Prahlad Cha.’ His age is also not such that he can be called Chacha. Still he is cheerful and a very down to earth man.
Usually, colleagues who have been in the newsroom for at least 15-20 years of journalism do not go to get photographed with anyone. I even remember the days when Pooja Bhatt had come to the Press Club in her youth. Her father Mahesh Bhatt was also with her. It was not too late in the evening. That means only a couple of journalist colleagues had come, but no one was interested in getting photographed with Pooja or Mahesh Bhatt. Perhaps some official of the Press Club had invited them. The photographer was also called. When no one paid any attention, some officials of the club brought them along and got their photographs taken with many people. I was also included in that.
In such a situation, almost the entire floor was seen coming one by one to get photographed with Faisal or should I say Prahlad cha. Faisal was also getting photographed with everyone very comfortably. Once Salim Khan sahab had said that just by looking at someone’s entry, one can tell whether his film was a hit or a flop. His words seemed absolutely logical. He had also shown by waving his hand in the same way that how a hit star waves his hand and looks at the entire gathering at once as soon as he enters. As if he is doing a favour to everyone by looking at them without making eye contact. Faisal has also become a hit in acting, but he was meeting everyone as if he was a common man.
Also read: Salim-Javed are the real ‘Angry Young Men’, they did Dabangg-like things for their rights
Someone asked to give a video message, that too was recorded on the phone. Some took selfies, some got photographs made. Recently Anu Malik had come to a program in the Press Club. When the program was over, Anu Malik was running away. It seemed that people would surround him and take selfies. I did not understand. This can also happen. I did not even see that any journalist was following him. I even said Annu sahab, take it easy…. Although I do not know whether he heard or not, but he left. Maybe stardom has given him this habit.
It can also be said that Faisal Malik might not have achieved that kind of stardom yet, but he has already won the hearts of Hindi audience as Prahlad Cha of ‘Panchayat’.
Tags: Panchayat, Web Series
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 22, 2024, 13:15 IST
