The actor is a doctor Ashish Gokhale he has created a unique path for himself. Although the audience recognizes him from projects like ‘Indian Police Force’, ‘420 IPC’, ‘Shaitaan’, ‘Bholaa’, and the recently released ‘Raid 2’, he continues to devote himself to his medical work as the CEO and Medical Superintendent of Advance Multispeciality Hospital and Cardiac Care Center in Juhu.In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Ashish spoke about managing two critical tasks, which he experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, working together. Ajay Devgnand that is why saving lives remains his main goal.
You manage both the gaming and medical activities well. How do you balance the two?
A lot of people ask me in amazement, ‘Hey, how do you manage a hospital, patients, and shooting all at the same time?’ I always tell them it’s very simple and not rocket science at all.If I am shooting in Mumbai, I go to the hospital around the morning before going to the location, and as soon as the shooting is over, I go back to the hospital.I really like to work. Currently, I am the CEO and Medical Superintendent of Advance Multispeciality Hospital and Cardiac Care Center in Juhu. It’s a big responsibility, but thanks to my passion for work and the 24-hour availability of mobile phones in our hands, the world has become much closer.Even when I am outside India, I can connect with anyone through phone calls and videos. This makes managing shots, the hospital, and patients easier.Initially, I used to take care of ICU and ICCU patients at night in the hospital and shoot during the day. Through it all, I received a lot of help—knowingly and unknowingly—from my fellow doctors, everyone at the hospital, and everyone who fired the gun.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for health workers. How did it happen to you?
It’s best not to talk about COVID, as those days were scary and scary and mentally exhausting.At that time, I moved away from the sports work and focused on treating the patients of COVID. I worked day and night. For the first six months of the epidemic, I did not go home, even though I lived 750 meters from the hospital.I am very grateful to the Almighty and my parents for choosing me to do a good job of saving lives in such dire situations.I have treated many patients in India during the three years and four months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the biggest lessons this pandemic has taught you?
The COVID-19 pandemic taught me several important lessons about hygiene and sanitation, the power of preventive health, valuing mental health, and thanking all the health care workers, truck drivers, grocery store clerks, and sanitation workers who run the world. Most importantly, it taught me the importance of financial planning.
When you look back on your acting journey, what moment remains the most special to you?
So far, my favorite moment was when I went to London to shoot for the film ‘Shaitaan’.Although I have gone on holiday to other countries many times, going to another country to watch a movie was the most exciting for me.There, I did an event with Ajay Devgn sir, R. Madhavan sir, and Jyotika ma’am, where I interviewed three of them. Getting the opportunity to interview him in front of Bollywood’s ‘Singham’ was amazing, and I received great cooperation and appreciation from everyone there.
Even though you are growing as an actor, what is driving you as a doctor?
Acting is my passion, but medicine is my calling. There is no greater satisfaction than helping someone heal and save lives. Both jobs bring me great joy in different ways, and I feel lucky to be doing them at the same time.For me, the biggest reward is knowing that I can contribute to society and also fulfill my dream of becoming an actor.
