Pavail Gulati reveals people told him to not be a part of Thappad

By Apr 9, 2025 0

Pavail Gulati has become one of the most interesting actors to watch in recent years, thanks to his thoughtful choices and unconventional roles. One of the most defining moments of his career came with the film Thappad, a critically acclaimed drama that brought attention to emotional abuse in marriages. The film was widely praised for its sensitive portrayal of a difficult subject, and Pavail’s performance played a crucial role in its success. What many don’t know, however, is that Pavail was once advised to turn down the role. In a recent interview with Filmfare, he shared insights about the best and worst advice he’s received throughout his journey.

Speaking candidly, Pavail revealed that the worst advice came when someone, after reading the script of Thappad, told him not to do the film. At the time, he seriously considered following that advice but eventually chose to trust his instincts. Looking back, he’s grateful he didn’t listen, calling it the worst advice of his life. That decision became a turning point for him, not just in terms of visibility, but also in how the industry perceived him—as an actor unafraid to take on challenging, non-stereotypical roles.

On the other hand, he also reflected on the best piece of advice he’s ever received, which came from filmmaker Anubhav Sinha. Pavail recalled that Sinha told him never to get too excited when a film does well, and never too disheartened when it doesn’t. Success and failure, he explained, are both temporary, and what matters most is staying balanced. This mindset has helped Pavail remain grounded, regardless of how his films perform.

Following Thappad, Pavail has continued to pick impactful roles. Most recently, he was seen in the action drama Deva, where he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Shahid Kapoor and delivered a powerful performance. With each new project, Pavail is carving a niche for himself, and audiences are eager to see what he does next.

See Also: Gajraj Rao, Manav Kaul, Chandan Roy Sanyal & Pavail Gulati In Filmfare OTT Actors Roundtable