Exclusive - Pratik Sehajpal recalls being raised by a single parent, facing bullying, "Was bullied a lot during childhood on the basis of my appearance"

Pratik Sehajpal, who shot to popularity after Bigg Boss 15 and became everyone's favourite, has come a long way. After Naagin 6, the actor is busy with music videos, web shows and is working on his craft and honing his skills. He recently joined ETimes TV for a heartfelt conversation where he recalled his struggling days, being raised by a single parent and getting bullied in school. Pratik poured his heart out during the conversation and revealed how he arrived in Mumbai with just one small suitcase and did not know anyone in the industry. He opened up about his journey in the industry and facing difficult ups and downs. (Photo: Instagram)

When I first came to Mumbai, I just came with one small suitcase with few clothes and now when I think about my life I just feel blessed. I feel really happy that today where I’m sitting whatever I have made in my life is all mine. I started from scratch and I’ve something of my own. When I was in Delhi also I didn’t lead such a life. I had no luxuries at all. My life’s first car I’ve just bought recently 5 months ago. (Photo: Instagram)

At home everyone was of the opinion that I should do a job because I’d spent money on law. It was not easy for the family to pay the college fess for five years but they still did. My dada ji wanted to me to job. My mother was the only one who told me Pratik go to Mumbai chase your dreams, don’t be scared. She gave me the power, strength to pursue what I wanted. I came here with nothing, I’d no contacts, no money, no place to stay. (Photo: Instagram)

When I first came to Mumbai, I got very sick and had no one to look after me. I was staying at someone’s house and I was so unwell that I couldn’t get up for 10 days. The condition there was so bad, mosquitoes, very hot. We had one bed and 3-4 people would stay. And this I’m saying after Love School when I had got famous. I faced all this after that. When you are in the middle, naa toh aap kuch ho, Aur naa toh aap bahut famous… it is a very difficult time. I’d already ventured into showbiz, so I couldn’t do any part time work also. Aur kuch naa karoon toh I don’t have money to survive. (Photo: Instagram)

Childhood days were good. I used to play a lot of football, bahut hero banke ghoomta tha… because I would not anyone know what was happening in my life. I have bullied a lot during my childhood days but no one got to know about the situation at my house. I never told anyone. My mom would not keep well when we were kids. My sister and I would feel sad that how can we do something to make her feel better. It was very painful and hurtful. My Dadaji supported us a lot financially. He took care of our school fees and expenses. My sister started working at an early age so that she could support our family. My mother looked after us and it is because of her prayers I’ve been able to do something in my life. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, I’ve been bullied a lot on the basis of my appearance. I was not very tall also, so I would get bullied in school a lot. Other kids in school would also tease me about my father but I used to keep mum as I’d no answer. They would lead a luxurious life, come in cars so they would tease me. I would stay very reserved and to myself. I had friends but I would not go out as I’d no money, car. So main Kisi ke upar liability banane se Accha Na jaaun. I stopped going out and stay at home with my mom. Be it school trips or friends get together after a point they had stopped calling me. It used to hurt me these things that despite having friends I was alone but after a point I started detaching myself as I didn’t want to get emotionally hurt. (Photo: Instagram)

My mother would keep asking me what is happening but at the same time she would calm me down saying not to worry and things would happen. When I fell sick, I got very worried that what if something happens to me as I was the only man. Then I went back home to Delhi as I’d no one here and I couldn’t even walk. My mom looked after me and after a week I got better and got a call for Ace Of Space. I went to that show and things fell into place. (Photo: Instagram)

After doing Law, the first audition I gave was for Roadies. I got rejected in Delhi during the PI so I went to Chandigarh and it was my birthday. I was very confident that I would get selected and had hopes. On my birthday I reached there and I had not had food for 24 hours. I was doing intermittent fasting and wanted to show my ribbed body. I auditioned, was empty stomach for 24-25 hours and was very confident. I came out around 2-3 am, my mom called me and I told her nahi hua maa. (Photo: Instagram)

I was very disheartened and in a bad condition. I was very emotional, had tears in eyes as I had requested family a lot to let me go and try my luck. I sat in a bus to go back to Delhi. I reached home and was so disappointed that I didn’t get from my bed the next day. I kept thinking what am I doing with my life. I’ve done Law but not helping my family financially when they need me. I’d lost it and given up all hopes but then I got a call for Love School. (Photo: Instagram)

I don’t read online comments. Initially, it used to bother me as some of them write really nasty comments but my fans especially the Pratik fam they try to protect me so much. Sometimes when I read these comments I do get hurt so now I’ve stopped reading them. I’ve stopped giving attention to it. (Photo: Instagram)

My aim after Bigg Boss has been to do acting work more. I keep doing music videos. In fact, I’ve done around 15-20 music videos so far and people keep telling me don’t do otherwise you will get typecast. But I’ve to hone my performance and acting skills and I’ve to run my house with music videos I’m able to both the things. When I’m not doing TV shows, at least through music videos I’m polishing my acting skills. It is helping me to grow. (Photo: Instagram)

Doing Naagin 6 was a great experience. The only thing I feel about doing Naagin is that wish I’d got some more screen time even though I was the lead for those 3 months, I didn’t get that much screen time. Mujhe thoda sa Aur screen time Milta Na Mujhe bahut Khushi hoti. I wanted to act and so much interested in doing it. Main Farsh par baithne ko tayar tha, 24 ghante kaam Karne ko ready tha without food and water. Mujhe kuch Aur nahi chahiye. I don’t need vacations, work gives me kick. But whatever screen time I got people liked my work and fans would make Tejasswi and my reels, edits. (Photo: Instagram)