Abhishek Patel on ‘Fragile’: Walking in the Shoes of Parents Changed Me

For Abhishek Patel, reading the script of his latest short film Fragile struck a deep chord. Produced by Rajniesh Duggall and Anand Pachigar under their Flow Like Water Films banner, ‘Fragile’ focuses on raising awareness around Fragile X Syndrome—a lesser-known but important condition. Abhishek admits the script was an emotional jolt, forcing him to think beyond the surface of storytelling and imagine the reality faced by so many parents.

He says, “When I picked up the script, it genuinely shook me. I tried to picture what parents go through when they find out about their child’s diagnosis. The emotional storm that hits—it’s something you can’t predict. Sitting with that idea, even as an actor, was incredibly humbling. It really made me pause and feel for those families in a way I hadn’t before.”

Abhishek points out that most of us hear terms like ‘syndrome’ or ‘disorder’ and think clinically, but the lived experience of a family navigating such news is layered and raw. “There are loads of medical issues out there, we know that. But for me, trying to stand in the shoes of those parents was overwhelming. The honesty in the script and the awareness it wants to build made me proud to be part of it. I hope this film helps folks see Fragile X Syndrome through a lens of dignity and real support, especially with organizations like the Fragile X India Society doing such important work,” he adds.

Surprisingly, before this film, Abhishek admits he had barely any awareness of Fragile X. “I’d heard about autism, of course. I have friends whose kids are on the spectrum, but Fragile X Syndrome was completely new to me. This film became a bit of an education,” he shares.

Playing a pediatrician with experience in these conditions was its own challenge. Abhishek says, “The character knows the medical side, but he also understands, even before the parents do, the weight of what they’re hearing. I had to play that balance—offering information, but with real care and empathy. At the same time, he’s practical and professional. That tightrope walk between compassion and clinical honesty was not easy to pull off.”

Getting into the psyche of his role really put things into perspective. “You can recite lines about symptoms and treatments, but to truly understand what a parent is feeling, that’s much deeper. It made the role way more demanding, but also more meaningful,” he reflects.

Working on ‘Fragile’ left a personal mark on Abhishek as well. “Even though I’m not a parent, just putting myself mentally in that situation was heavy. I honestly can’t imagine having to process news like that about your own child. The film made me realize how much strength and support parents need—not just medical help, but understanding and community too,” he says.

Abhishek is clear about the kind of work he wants to do next: “I’ll always be drawn to stories with a real message, where you get to tap into real-world issues—family, relationships, society, whatever it is. If a project brings hope, or just lets people know they’re not alone, that’s something I want to be a part of. I believe no matter how bad things seem, there’s always a bigger plan at work. We just need to hold on and trust it.”

For Abhishek Patel, ‘Fragile’ is more than a film—it’s a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a family, a story, and a reason to look beyond the symptoms and really see the human being.