The iconic “boy next door” of Bollywood opened up about living life on his own terms at #PRAXIS12 & how ‘authenticity’, not glamour – became his lifelong PR strategy
Bollywood glitz met Public Relations glamour at #PRAXIS12, when the legendary Amol Palekar – the quintessential “boy next door” of Indian cinema – walked onto the stage. Known for his memorable performances in Gol Maal, Chhoti Si Baat, Chit Chor and Baaton Baaton Mein, Palekar ushered in a wave of nostalgia to the event, reminding everyone that sometimes ‘simplicity’ can be the strongest form of storytelling.
In conversation with Sandhya Gokhale, his wife and creative partner, the actor-filmmaker opened up about life, art, cinema and the philosophy that shaped his understated, yet iconic career. “The word PR scares us,” Sandhya smiled, “we are non-mainstream filmmakers.” And that set the tone for a deeply authentic, introspective & humorous dialogue.
Palekar, who redefined the Bollywood hero in the 1970s and ’80s, stood apart from the muscle-flexing superstars of his era, carving a unique niche. He was the hero of the everyday man, someone who made vulnerability and decency cinematic. His “middle-class magic,” as Sandhya described it, connected with audiences who saw themselves in his stumbles, hesitations & soft smiles.
The discussion revolved around his recently released memoir – “Viewfinder,” which chronicles India’s cultural evolution from the 1960s to the 1990s – blending cinema, theatre, and art with social change. Viewfinder is not just a personal narrative of an artist but an authentic document of Indian cinematic history. “Viewfinder isn’t just my story,” he said modestly, “it’s a reflection of an era.”
Sandhya, an accomplished writer herself with eight feature film scripts to her credit – including Paheli, India’s official entry to the Oscars in 2006, revealed that the book was completed in just six months during COVID. “It became his written tool of expression,” she said warmly.
As the conversation unfolded, Sandhya playfully asked if his “boy next door” persona was a conscious creation. “Not at all,” he replied. “In Rajnigandha, I was the most uninteresting person in the girl’s life – and that’s what I loved!” That amused the audience, but the message was profound: his ordinariness was his rebellion.
He confessed, “Success bores me.” After a string of silver jubilee hits, he deliberately stepped away from repetitive roles. “Where’s the challenge if I keep doing the same thing?” he asked.
Sandhya revealed another side of him – the artist who began his journey at J.J. School of Art, painting murals and portraits before stepping into films. “He has always walked away from convention,” she smiled.
Asked if he ever felt the need for a PR consultant, Palekar laughed, “No, because I was looking for variety, not visibility.” His choices – from Gharonda to Bhoomika – were about honesty, not hype.
The conversation ended with a thought that lingered in the hall: “Passion to be different has always worked for me.”
At that moment, Bollywood’s “common man” hero reminded an audience of PR professionals that the most powerful brand story – is the one that stays ‘real’.
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