We all know how stardom works and I am sure that the glamour game has many factors to be the best. Behind every star is a huge force of people making everything happen, especially keeping them relevant in the public eye is not a cakewalk. But making it seem like one is PR professional Prashant Golecha who has been handling the biggest of names in the TV industry, be it actors, or producers. Prashant has done quite a fabulous job at making many stars what they are today and he still continues to work with his ‘I am the best approach’. Lauding all that he has done since almost two decades, I spoke to Prashant and walked through his journey.
While after 15 interviews and an MBA in marketing degree, this opportunity knocked at Prashant’s door and in some time, there was no looking back. Talking about the same he says…
It has been 19 years. I have done an MBA in marketing, situationally and circumstantially I got into restaurant PR and from that I got into personal PR. Famous TV star Anuj Saxena was my first client followed by two films Aalu Chaat and Chase. Then I started building my business and with the passage of time, things fell into place. I did see a great future when I started getting stability in my work. I was destined to become a PR professional.
Well, Prashant has worked with some big names and telling about them to us, he shares…
I have worked with a wide range of celebrities like Udita Goswami to Somy Ali, Anu Aggarwal, Himansh Kohli, and Jasmin Bhasin. The prominent actors we are working with currently are Anu Aggarwal, Bhumika Chawla, Ravie Dubey, Sargun Mehta, Arjun Bijlani, Avika Gor, Adaa Khan, Vivian D’sena, Aly Goni, and Shivin Narang.
Prashant even looks back at his journey reminising the highs and lows, he adds…
It has been a great journey. I’ve got the opportunity to meet so many people who have contributed so much in my career as well. There have been actors who have been saved from controversies with our guidance in PR. Working on Shah Rukh Khan‘s Red Chillies TV show Ghar Ki Baat Hai was interesting and also Simmi Grewal‘s India’s Most Desirables. Few disappointments were when some actors whose profiles we worked very hard on left us. They taught us nothing is permanent and made us stronger. Those who leave me it’s their loss, not ours. I take everything in my stride and mind my own business. We are a class apart and work at the human level and that works for us. I believe in “I am the Best” and my team is the best too. From Srabanti to Shrinkhla, Aditi, Anjuri, Triparna, Miti and Yashika we are all like a house on fire. We are secure in our space.
Like he said, it has been 19 years, I wonder what is it that still keeps him going and he explains…
What keeps me going is my passion for my work. Me and my team like to make a difference in an actor’s life and career. We are a good bunch of people who add positivity to everyone’s life and we are always looking forward to meeting people. I keep saying hum apne actors se bahut pyaar karte hai and PR toh naturally effortlessly ho hi jaata hai. The most thrilling part of my job is meeting people, handling crises and controversies, and to be a friend, philosopher and guide to all our clients.
Sharing his views on how has the game changed today, Prashant comments…
Traditional PR still exists, people still read newspapers but people also read real news on social media. There’s a lot of competition. Everyone who isn’t an expert is also coming into PR and the quality of work is not happening. And In case of some actors less publicity is more. Anyone can project to be a celebrity but everyone can’t be and is not a celebrity. Competition is there but not a healthy one. Mediocrity is there and the irony is that even known actors are getting their PR done with any PR just because they got some discount. PR is a science and to think of getting instant stardom just because you have a good pr is foolish. Many PR’s are just doing publicity and ignoring the image management bit.
An advise Prashant would give to all those who aspire becoming a PR professional…
Think twice before becoming a PR because it is a 24/7 work. But the biggest perks is that it has a lot of flexibility and variety in terms of work and people. It is definitely not 9 to 5 job. Patience and interpersonal skills are a must in PR. Too much overreaction can backfire and one needs to ignore a lot of things while dealing with journalists as well as actors.
Well, it was surely all the experience speaking and while Prashant and team Golecha continue doing a great job, I wish them all the very best.