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Celebrating Theatre: A Launchpad for Bollywood Stars

The journey for many Bollywood actors commenced with their initial performances on stage, which laid the groundwork for their careers. Theatre has been instrumental in shaping the skills and confidence of these stars, enabling them to shine on the silver screen. On World Theatre Day, several celebrities share their memorable experiences of stepping onto the stage for the first time.

Richa Chadha's Early Stage Experience

Richa Chadha's theatrical journey began in Class 11 with a play titled Aur Kitne Tukde, directed by Kirti Jain and featuring veteran actors from the National School of Drama (NSD). "I was cast as an extra in a historical play, which allowed me to closely observe talented NSD actors. It was an invaluable learning experience, especially since I had braces at the time," she reminisced.

Pankaj Tripathi's Patna Performance

Pankaj Tripathi's debut was in a play called Leela Nandlal Ki, based on a story by Bhisham Sahni and directed by NSD alumnus Vijay Kumar. "The narrative revolves around a lost scooter and the protagonist's visit to the police station to report it. I portrayed both a cop and a thief," he explained. Performing in front of an unfamiliar audience in Patna, he was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception he received, despite his lack of formal training at that time.

Ali Fazal's First Stage Experience

Ali Fazal's theatrical journey began with A Guy Thing, written and directed by American playwright Michael Puzzo. However, his very first stage experience occurred at a boarding school in Dehradun, thanks to filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria. "I vividly remember holding onto the light on the steps of the renowned amphitheater at The Doon School, tasked with delivering a single line – 'You blithering nincompoop,'" he recalled with a grin.

Abhishek Banerjee's Theatre Discovery

Abhishek Banerjee discovered his passion for theatre during his school years but refined his skills at Kirori Mal College (KMC) in Delhi through the esteemed Players’ Society, which has also nurtured filmmakers like Kabir Khan. "I wasn't a dedicated student, often skipping classes and receiving low grades. One day, while anchoring an event, a frustrated teacher remarked, 'You’re only good for this.' While others might have taken offense, I saw it as a sign. I auditioned for acting and got into KMC, the same college attended by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan," he shared.

Shweta Tripathi's Lifelong Theatre Connection

For Shweta Tripathi, a performance by Yashpal Sharma ignited her passion for theatre. "There was a scene on top of a train that captivated me. Another memorable experience was Graffiti, a musical choreographed by Shiamak Davar and directed by Roshan Abbas. Theatre has also gifted me a lifelong partner, my husband, rapper Chaitnya Sharma (Slow Cheeta)," she shared.

Akshay Oberoi's Theatrical Training

Akshay Oberoi's journey in theatre began at Johns Hopkins University, followed by training at the Stella Adler Studio in New York and Playhouse West in Los Angeles. "Theatre taught me the essence of quality acting. I explored various genres, which greatly contributed to my growth. I am thankful for the chance to pursue my dreams," he expressed.

Parul Gulati's Passion for Theatre

Parul Gulati embarked on her acting career at a young age but has always felt a profound connection to theatre. She has participated in numerous plays and continues to learn under her mentor Saurabh Sachdeva. Recently, she expressed her aspiration to produce a play, stating, "Theatre keeps me alive."

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