Actor and doctor Ashish Gokhale has carved a unique path for himself. While audiences recognize him from projects such as ‘Indian Police Force’, ‘420 IPC’, ‘Shaitaan’, ‘Bholaa’, and recently released ‘Raid 2’, he continues to dedicate himself to his medical profession as the CEO and Medical Superintendent of Advance Multispeciality Hospital and Cardiac Care Centre in Juhu.In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Ashish spoke about juggling two demanding careers, his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, working alongside Ajay Devgn, and why saving lives remains his greatest purpose.
You successfully manage both acting and a full-fledged medical career. How do you balance the two?
Many people ask me in surprise, ‘Hey, how do you manage the hospital, patients, and shooting all at once?’ I always tell them that it’s actually very simple and not rocket science at all.If I am shooting in Mumbai, I visit the hospital for a round in the morning before heading to the set, and once the shooting wraps up, I come back to the hospital.I absolutely love to work. Currently, I am the CEO and Medical Superintendent of Advance Multispeciality Hospital and Cardiac Care Centre in Juhu. It is a huge responsibility, but because of my passion for work and the 24-hour availability of mobile phones in our hands, 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 shooting, the hospital, and patients incredibly easy.In the beginning, I used to manage ICU and ICCU patients during night hours at the hospital and shoot during the day. In all of this, I receive immense help—both knowingly and unknowingly—from my doctor colleagues, everyone at the hospital, and all the people on the shooting set.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging period for healthcare workers. What was your experience like?
It’s honestly better not to talk about COVID, as those days were incredibly terrifying and physically as well as mentally draining.During that time, I stepped far away from the acting profession and focused entirely on treating COVID patients. I worked day and night. For the first six months of the pandemic, I didn’t even go home, despite living just 750 meters from the hospital.I am profoundly grateful to the Almighty and my parents for choosing me to perform the noble deed of saving lives during such a horrific crisis.I’ve treated an infinite number of patients across India during the three years and four months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the biggest lessons the pandemic taught you?
The COVID-19 pandemic taught me a few important lessons regarding discipline and hygiene, the power of preventive health, valuing mental health, and expressing gratitude for all the healthcare workers, delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, and sanitation staff who kept the world running. Most importantly, it taught me the importance of financial preparedness.
Looking back at your acting journey, which moment remains the most special to you?
Until now, my most cherished moment was when I went to London for the shooting of the movie ‘Shaitaan’.Although I have travelled abroad for vacations many times, going abroad for a film shoot was an incredibly joyful experience for me.Over there, I had to do a scene with Ajay Devgn sir, R. Madhavan sir, and Jyotika ma’am, where I interrogate the three of them. Getting the chance to interrogate his character right in front of Bollywood’s ‘Singham’ himself was amazing, and I received great cooperation and appreciation from everyone there.
