Actor Nitin Ganatra has shared a story about facing possible dismissal from the set of Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” after Johnny Depp encouraged him into mischief, ultimately leading to what he described as Johnny Depp trouble on movie set. This revelation came during the world premiere of Ganatra’s latest film, “Christmas Karma,” at London’s Curzon Mayfair.
Ganatra, now 58, played Prince Pondicherry in the 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale. Reflecting on the filming experience, he recounted exploring an area of the set at Depp’s suggestion, which resulted in an accidental mess that concerned his future on the project.
Details Behind the On-Set Mishap
During an interview, Ganatra explained that while he was in full costume, entirely coated in chocolate from his head to his shoes, Johnny Depp sparked a spontaneous adventure when they were seated together. Depp asked if Ganatra was familiar with something called the “vanishing corridor.”
Intrigued, Ganatra followed Depp’s instructions to go through a curtain, where he discovered a narrowing corridor that became increasingly smaller. This led to him bumping his head on the ceiling and then noticing the consequences of his chocolate-covered footwear. In a recount of the moment, Ganatra realized he had left a trail of chocolate footprints on the carpet, prompting immediate concern about his standing with the production team.
He did — he almost got me fired. We had fun though. It was nice to work with him.
— Nitin Ganatra, Actor
Reflections on Past Roles and Future Opportunities
Following the incident on the “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” set, Ganatra noted he was not asked to reprise his role in the 2023 Wonka prequel directed by Paul King, but expressed no disappointment, attributing this to the change in creative direction and cast. He also reflected on his collaborations with director Tim Burton beyond the classic adaptation, especially mentioning his appearance in the television series “Wednesday.”
[Wonka] is a completely different cast and a different director, but I did work with Tim Burton on Wednesday. I was upset I got killed off and didn’t get to be in the second season, which looks like such good fun. I’ve worked with Tim Burton twice now. I auditioned for it like everyone else and I got the part.
— Nitin Ganatra, Actor
New Role in “Christmas Karma” Draws from Personal Experience
Ganatra’s latest portrayal is that of a shopkeeper in Gurinder Chadha’s Bollywood-inspired Christmas film “Christmas Karma,” a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” He shared that this was his first time formally playing a shopkeeper—a role he previously avoided in favor of other characters such as doctors.
I play the shopkeeper — that’s my official title, the shopkeeper. This is the first shopkeeper I’ve ever played, which is a bit of a breakthrough role for me. As an Asian actor, I’ve always avoided playing shopkeepers — I’ve played the occasional doctor, never an accountant, thank God. But this one is special. I think Gurinder grew up in a newsagent, and so did I, so I got to use my own story in there.
— Nitin Ganatra, Actor
The Broader Significance and What Lies Ahead
The revelation about Johnny Depp trouble on movie set sheds light on the unpredictable humor and camaraderie that can exist behind the scenes of major film productions. Ganatra’s experiences with both Tim Burton and Gurinder Chadha demonstrate the diverse opportunities that actors encounter across genres and productions. “Christmas Karma,” featuring Ganatra’s new role, arrives in cinemas on Friday, 14 November 2025, marking another milestone in his varied career.
