Actor and doctor Ashish Gokhale He has carved a unique path for himself. While the audience knows him from projects like ‘Indian Police Force’, ‘420 IPC’, ‘Shaitaan’, ‘Bholaa’ and recently released ‘Raid 2’, he continues to dedicate himself to his medical career as CEO and Medical Superintendent of the Advanced Multi Specialty Hospital and Cardiac Care Center in Juhu.In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Ashish talks about juggling two demanding jobs, his experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, working alongside Ajay Devgn, and why saving lives remains his greatest goal.
She has successfully managed acting and a full medical career. How do you balance the two?
Many people ask me in surprise: “Hey, how do you manage a hospital, patients and shooting at the same time?” I always tell them that it’s actually very simple and not rocket science at all.If I’m shooting in Mumbai, I visit the hospital for a walk-through in the morning before heading to the sets, and once the shoot is over, I return to the hospital.I absolutely love the work. Currently, I am the CEO and Medical Superintendent of Advanced Multi Specialty Hospital and Cardiac Care Center in Juhu. It’s a big responsibility, but because of my passion for work and the availability of mobile phones at our fingertips 24 hours a day, the world has become much closer.Even if I am outside India, I can stay in touch with everyone through phone calls and video calls. This makes managing your fire, hospital and patients very easy.
Initially, I was managing ICU and ICU patients during the night hours in the hospital and doing photography during the day. In all of this, I receive tremendous help – intentionally or unintentionally – from my fellow doctors, everyone in the hospital, and all the people on set.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for healthcare workers. How was your experience?
It’s honestly better not to talk about coronavirus, because those days were incredibly terrifying and physically and mentally exhausting.During that period, she largely moved away from her acting career and focused entirely on treating coronavirus patients.
I worked day and night. During the first six months of the pandemic, I didn’t even go home, even though I lived only 750 meters from the hospital.I am extremely grateful to God Almighty and my parents for choosing me to do the noble work of saving lives during this horrific crisis.I have treated countless patients across India during the three years and four months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
What are the biggest lessons the pandemic has taught you?
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught me some important lessons regarding discipline and hygiene, the power of preventative health, valuing mental health, and expressing gratitude for all the healthcare workers, delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, and sanitation staff who keep the world running.
Most importantly, he taught me the importance of financial preparedness.
Looking back on your acting journey, what was the most special moment for you?
So far, my most cherished moment was when I went to London to film “Demon”.Although I have gone abroad for vacation many times, going abroad to shoot a film was a very enjoyable experience for me.There, I had to act a scene with Mr. Ajay Devgn, Mr. R. Madhavan, and Jyotika ma’am, as I interrogate the three of them. Getting an opportunity to interrogate his character opposite Singham, the Bollywood actor himself, was amazing and I received great cooperation and appreciation from everyone there.