‘Mardaani 3’ antagonist Prajesh Kashyap opens up about year-long silence with friends and family: 'I was not doing any other screen work'

Ever since ‘Mardaani 3’ released in theatres, the film has drawn strong praise from audiences and critics alike. Rani Mukerji’s intense performance once again anchors the franchise. Alongside her, actor Prajesh Kashyap, who plays the role of Ramanujan, recently spoke candidly about the unusual challenge of keeping the project a secret from family and friends for months.Prajesh Kashyap admitted that maintaining silence about the film made even casual conversations stressful. People constantly wanted updates about his work, and he had to dodge every question. He recalled in an interview with Money control, “Difficult. Because, you know, when you meet actors, when you meet friends and when you meet family, they usually ask, what else is going on? What are you doing?”To avoid revealing anything, he resorted to vague replies that hinted at something without confirming it. He explained, “So, then I used to be like, something is going on. And I will be like, something will come next year.”Even though his family understood the industry’s unpredictability, the prolonged silence still felt heavy. He added, “Family was a bit prepared. Because I answer them like this.”What made it harder was his decision to step back from other screen appearances while preparing for the role. He wanted complete focus and a fresh presence when the film released. Despite the loneliness, he found meaning in the process, saying, “I am very happy that I am ready to disappear from the world for another year. I enjoy doing this a lot. Because all your energies are focused on that. And what comes out of it is something else. So, I enjoyed it. But at the same time, it was very difficult.”Working with Rani Mukerji left a deep impression on the actor. He admitted he felt starstruck almost every day on set. Watching her perform became a learning experience in itself.Reflecting on the collaboration, he said, “It was an absolute delight. An opportunity of a lifetime. Being starstruck every day. Pinching yourself coming back home. Being on set and telling yourself, calm down, calm down.”He also spoke about calming himself before scenes and appreciating her dedication to her craft. According to him, “To see her do what she does with sheer brilliance — an opportunity of a lifetime. To talk to her, to spend time with her — I was thrilled. Thoroughly thrilled and I really enjoyed every moment of spending time with her and sharing screen space. It was lovely.”He described the entire experience as thrilling and memorable.'Mardaani 3' continues the story of fearless officer Shivani Shivaji Roy. The film follows her investigation into the disappearance of dozens of young girls, leading to the exposure of a large trafficking network. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the film stars Rani Mukerji and Prajesh Kashyap, along with Janki Bodiwala, Mallika Prasad, Jisshu Sengupta and several others in key roles.