Prateik Chaudhary Plays Grounded Hero Kabir in Balaji’s Silent Shikari

Mumbai: After making his mark in popular television shows such as Tose Naina Milaike, Sindoor Ki Keemat, and Paramavatar Shri Krishna, actor Prateik Chaudhary has now stepped into the rapidly growing world of vertical series with Balaji Telefilms’ latest micro-drama offering.

In his debut vertical project, Prateik plays the central character Kabir in Silent Shikari (streaming on Story TV app) and Khamosh Shikari (on Kutting app). Sharing his excitement about the role, the actor described Kabir as a refreshing and relatable protagonist. “Kabir is a very positive, humble and grounded person who always stands up for the people around him,” Prateik said. “Even though he is a regular employee in the office, he treats the company as if it were his own. His character reflects sincerity, integrity and resilience.”

Since the story is set in the corporate world, most of Prateik’s scenes unfold in office environments. Speaking about his look, he added, “Kabir’s look is very professional and sharp. He is mostly seen in formal attire, which reflects his disciplined personality and dedication to his work.”

What sets the series apart, according to Prateik, is its crisp and gripping storytelling. “The USP of the series is its engaging and fast-paced storytelling,” he noted. “The content is very gripping and crisp, which makes it a complete binge-watch experience for the audience.”

With vertical series gaining massive popularity, Prateik shared why he chose to explore this format. “One of the main reasons was the opportunity to work with great production houses like Balaji, talented directors and a strong team,” he explained. “In every story, the entire team including producers and directors can be different, and many of them come from well-known backgrounds in Indian television. As an actor, it’s exciting because I get to learn and experience new things with every project.”

He was candid about the intense demands of shooting vertical content. “Vertical series are also very challenging. Earlier I thought television was tough because we sometimes had to shoot 10–12 scenes in a day, but in verticals we sometimes shoot 30 scenes a day. It requires a lot of focus and dedication,” Prateik admitted. “I always try to perform every scene with full conviction and do justice to my character within the limited time we have. I believe stepping out of your comfort zone is the path to growth and success.”

The actor also highlighted the impressive viewership numbers vertical series are achieving. “Vertical content is trending right now and the viewership numbers are incredibly strong,” he said.

On a more personal note, Prateik was honest about his boundaries as an actor. “Personally, I’m not very comfortable with bold or intimate scenes. That’s just my personal choice,” he shared. “I truly respect actors who perform such scenes confidently. For me, when I choose a project, I focus more on strong content, a good team and a meaningful character.”

Looking ahead, Prateik remains optimistic about the future of the format. “Looking at the response and appreciation from audiences, it seems like vertical series will continue to grow. I believe the format will evolve further with better quality, storytelling and promotions in the future,” he concluded.

With his sincere portrayal of Kabir and a clear focus on meaningful roles, Prateik Chaudhary’s entry into vertical series marks an interesting new chapter in his career. As the demand for short-form, high-impact content continues to rise, his thoughtful approach and dedication suggest he is ready to take on the challenges and opportunities this evolving space has to offer.