Exclusive -- “An Actor is an actor – whether trained or untrained. Training helps know the basics. That’s all” – Saurabh Shukla

Saurabh Shukla, two times National Award winning actor fondly known as Kallu Mama because of his unforgettable role in film Satya, has an interesting take on actors who join film industry. This unparalleled film, theatre and television actor and director has come a long way before he made name by doing films like Yuva (2004), Barfi! (2012), Jolly LLB (2013), Kick (2014), PK (2014), Jolly LLB 2 (2017) and Raid (2018) and plays like Barf and much more.

On the occasion of World Theatre Day  today he shares his words of wisdom with us.

In an answer to a question whether trained actors from the theatre become more successful in the film world, especially Bollywood, he has this to say. “This is just a myth that trained actors are better than others who have not been formally trained. If we take theatre as an institution, then everyone entering it, also does not become great or talented just by virtue of being in theatre.

Acting, is your personal journey.

But an institution is a big help. Because it gives you so much all the time whether you are reading, having meals, walking or just doing anything, as you surrounded by that atmosphere. But it does not guarantee that you would become a great actor.

Moreover, going to institute is important because you get a whole paraphernalia at one place — you get library, archives, knowledgeable people who share their wisdom with you and enrich you about theatre. This is theatre.

But those who boast about the ‘tag’ of their being theatre actors, ke maine theatre kiya hai, iska kya matlab hai? Anyone can do theatre. Right? If we say either a cinema or a theatre actor is great, the whole viewpoint is wrong.

Actor is an actor, all that matters is the medium one is working in. If an actor understands the depth of a medium, its requirements, processes, methods, its merits and advantages, only then an actor is successful. For instance, if a theatre actor works in a cinema, but doesn’t understand the requirement of working in this medium, he/she can never be a good actor, and vice-versa.

Pearls of insight there.

That Saurabh Shukla is a great tennis player is a lesser known fact. Sports help with the sense of perfect timings, that the actor is known for! 

One gets a sense where does this poet, writer and tennis player (the lesser known sides of this foodie with tremendous sense of humour) brings exact words and sense of timings from? Personal Journey, of a mix of all this!