For Abhishek Patel, reading the script of his upcoming short film, Fragile, was a numbing experience. The film is produced by Rajniesh Duggall and Anand Pachigar under their banner Flow Like Water Films and aims to create awareness around Fragile X Syndrome. Abhishek found himself moved by the story’s sensitive core and its resonance with real-life parenting challenges.
“When I actually read the script of Fragile, it was quite numbing to an extent because I was just trying to understand what parents must be going through, you know, when they find out about their child. The primary emotions one goes through in such a moment are overwhelming because it’s something no one expects. So, it was a very humbling experience to imagine what a parent would go through,” he said.
He added, “Yes, there are other aspects when you look at it from a medical perspective; there are many syndromes that exist. But putting myself in the shoes of those parents really shook me. The way the script was handled and the kind of awareness it is creating made me feel, in hindsight, more than glad that it’s going to be out there for people to know, understand, and tackle the situation in a much more dignified manner, with the kind of support that the Fragile X India Society gives.”
He also admitted that he wasn’t initially aware of the condition the film focuses on. “I do know about autism. I have friends who have a child who is autistic, so yes, I was aware of autism, but not about Fragile X Syndrome,” he said.
As for the challenges he faced while portraying a pediatrician in the film, he shared that playing a doctor who already knows about the syndrome and understands the challenges parents go through was demanding. “I had to portray that character with sensitivity, grace, and empathy, and at the same time, with pragmatism and practicality. So yes, it was challenging to bring together all these elements and still come across as someone who truly understands,” he said.
“The character is a child pediatrician who specializes in these areas of medicine, so it was important to communicate that knowledge and care. Understanding the psyche of the character, while also deeply connecting with what a parent might experience, and keeping it all very real, made the role emotionally intense,” he added.
Fragile did not just influence his performance but touched him personally. “This project did impact me. Like I said earlier, putting myself in the shoes of a parent going through this situation is incredibly humbling. Honestly, I can’t even imagine what that experience would be like. I’m not a parent yet, and I’m not married yet, but if a situation like this were to arise in the future, I imagine it would be mentally, emotionally, and psychologically very difficult,” he said.
And he mentioned that he would be more than willing to do many more such projects that are emotionally driven and carry a strong social message.
“I’ve always believed in being part of projects that have meaningful social connections—stories that highlight real-world issues, whether it’s about economics, family dynamics, geopolitical concerns, or human relationships,” he said.
“I want to be part of stories that explore delicate human emotions and also bring a ray of hope to people’s lives. A real, honest hope that reminds us that nothing is ever really lost; it’s all part of divine planning and divine timing. And in the larger timeline of eternity, everything will be okay. So yes, I’m definitely looking forward to doing more projects that are impactful and offer a strong social message,” Abhishek ended.
