Theatre remains one of the most powerful training grounds for actors – teaching discipline, spontaneity, and emotional honesty. As we celebrate World Theatre Day, these journeys serve as a reminder that behind every powerful screen performance lies years of dedication, often rooted in the intimacy of the stage.

From backstage struggles to standing ovations, these actors prove that theatre is not just a stepping stone – it’s a lifelong foundation.

Here’s a look at some actors who trained professionally in theatre and carried that foundation into their screen careers:

#PankajTripathi: One of the finest actors of his generation, Pankaj Tripathi began his theatre journey in 1996 in Patna, balancing rehearsals with night shifts at a hotel kitchen. His passion led him to the prestigious National School of Drama, after which he moved to Mumbai in 2004. Years of perseverance and over 40 small roles later, he found his breakthrough with Gangs of Wasseypur.

#AliFazal: Before becoming a global face, Ali Fazal’s acting journey began on stage during his school days at The Doon School. A basketball injury led him to explore acting, where he performed roles like Trinculo in The Tempest. He later refined his craft in Mumbai and through theatre platforms like Thespo, building a strong foundation before transitioning to films and series.

#RichaChadha: Richa Chadha built her acting roots in professional theatre after starting out in modelling. She trained under renowned theatre director Barry John and performed in multiple plays across India. This rich stage experience laid the groundwork for her film debut in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!.

#ShwetaTripathi: After studying fashion communication at National Institute of Fashion Technology, Shweta Tripathi found her calling in theatre. She joined a troupe in Mumbai and even founded her own company, ‘All My Tea Productions’. Before her breakthrough in Masaan, she worked behind the scenes and in television, steadily building her craft.

#LisaMishra: Known for her musical talents, Lisa Mishra also has roots in theatre. With experience in musical theatre, she recently returned to the stage after 15 years, post her screen debut with Call Me Bae. Her journey reflects a seamless blend of music, performance, and storytelling.

#AkshayOberoi: Akshay Oberoi’s acting journey began at Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theatre. Under the mentorship of theatre veteran Makrand Deshpande, he started backstage before performing in plays like Miss Beautiful. He further studied Theatre Arts at Johns Hopkins University and trained internationally, adding depth to his craft.

#AdarshGourav: Adarsh Gourav has a strong theatre background, with formal training at The Drama School Mumbai. He has performed with Raell Padamsee’s theatre company and appeared in productions like Lucrece at National Centre for the Performing Arts, showcasing his dedication to the stage.

#GulshanDevaiah: Before entering films, Gulshan Devaiah was an active part of Bengaluru’s English theatre circuit, working with groups like Forum Three. After a decade in the fashion industry, he transitioned to films and gained recognition with Shaitan.

#NimritKaurAhluwalia: Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia’s artistic journey began with theatre, where she trained for over 15 years, including at the Atelier School of Dramatic Arts. She later gained recognition after winning Femina Miss Manipur and starring in a popular Tv soap Choti Sarrdaarni.

By Keerti Kadam

The post World Theatre Day Special: Bollywood Actors who honed their craft on Stage before the Spotlight! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Aparshakti Khurana – Before making a name for himself by being a part of ‘Dangal’, a movie that created history, Aparshakti Khurrana was a part of a theatre group. The actor then went on to start his journey in front of the camera through television as well. Well, he is following the exact footsteps of his elder brother, and we are sure of the fact that he is on the path to superstardom as well!

Sanya Malhotra – Sanya Malhotra has been a theatre-worm from a very early age and she studied theatre as a kid too. For Sanya, even today, films and theatre run parallel. The actress has produced written and acted in several plays during her college days before making a grand debut with Aamir Khan’s Dangal, and there has been no looking back for the talented actor ever since!

Ranveer Singh – He needs no introduction. There’s no doubt that Ranveer Singh has brought ‘sheer acting skills’ back into fashion. It’s good to see that the Bajirao Mastani actor has got his due in the industry. During his tenure in Mumbai University, he actively worked in theatre and took part and directed multiple plays as well. The actor has surely come a long way from the world of stage plays to becoming one of the most sought-after lead actors in Bollywood today.

Kangana Ranaut – The beautiful young woman who made his debut with Gangster also started off as a theatre artist. She did theatre under the guidance of Arvind Gaur. She acted in several of his plays including Girish Karnad-scripted Taledanda. She also played the role of a man herself when her male co-star went missing.

Siddhant Chaturvedi – Before making his debut, Siddhant Chaturvedi used to do plays and was a theatre artist. Siddhant made his debut with Excel Entertainment’s Gully Boy in 2019, which was not his first on-screen outing. The young actor also made an appearance in ‘Inside Edge’, a sports drama web-show backed by Excel Entertainment as well. The show is available on Amazon Prime for those who want to catch Siddhant in his very first on-screen outing.

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Court Martial : At a time when caste-based prejudices were not widely addressed in the arts, Swadesh Deepak, one of the most respected contemporary playwrights, novelists and short-story writers, wrote ‘Court-Martial’ in 1991. This searing play is considred to be a pathbreaking comment on caste discrimination. ‘Court Martial’ tells the story of a junior ranked army man, Ramchander, who inexplicably picks up his gun one day and shoots down two of his senior officers. His defense lawyer Vikas Roy senses that this is not just an open-and-shut case, decides to dig deeper into the motive behind the crime and stumbles upon a truth that shocks him. One of the most performed plays in contemporary Hindi literature, ‘Court Martial’ is a taut legal drama, an exploration of the justice system and the study of an unequal society.

Directed by Sourabh Shrivastava and Karwarkar Bhavika, the play stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Govind Pandey, Bhagwaan Tiwari, Saksham Dayma and Swapnil Kotriwar. It will be screened on Dish and D2H Rangmanch Active and Airtel Spotlight.

Wrong Turn : This play asks some important questions like, “Who gets to define the meaning of justice and to dispense punishment?” Inspired by Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s 1956 novel, ‘A Dangerous Game’, or ‘Die Panne’, and its premise of a mock-trial, Ranjit Kapoor has penned a compelling psychological drama about a stranger who walks into an old house to seek shelter on a stormy night and finds a few retired lawyers amusing themselves with a game that he agrees to join. As the mock trial progresses however, he realises that the stakes are higher than he thought and if found guilty, he would have to pay an unthinkable price. With every accusation, a new secret is revealed and the truth behind the seemingly innocent game shocks not just Arun but the audience.

Directed by Ishan Trivedi, the plays stars Govind Namdev, Lalit Tiwari, Suneel Sinha, Liliput Faruqui, Varun Badola, Suzzane Mukherjee, Anangsha Biswas, Shalini Sharma and Niraj Sah. It will be screened on TataPlay Theatre.

Bombed : Can a serious theme be explored with humour? This quirky tale of individual eccentricities, aspirations and intrigue pulls off this seemingly impossible feat. Written by Asha Duggal and Bobby Nagra, the play explores what happens when a befuddled young tenant, an unpredictable land-lady, a cop chasing an international terror trail and an aspiring actor come together. Multiple stories collide and a comedy of error or maybe terror, emerges and shows us the external and inner realities of Zameer or Zed, Fiona, Yogi and Inspector Sudarshan Damle. With wit and insight, the play also touches upon issues like intolerance and shows the futility of living in a constant state of mistrust against the ‘other.’

Directed by Adaar Khurana, the play stars Amey Wagh, Aseem Hattangady, Chaitnya Sharma, Lucky Vakharia, Prerna Chawla and Siddharth Kumar. It will be screened on Dish and D2H Rangmach Active.

Where did I leave my Purdah? : ‘Where did I leave my Purdah?’ like most of playwright and director Mahesh Dattani’s stories, brings forth realities we would rather not acknowledge. On the surface, it is about Nazia, a fading theatre veteran whose thriving repertory ‘Modern Theatre’ is now a part of history. On closer scrutiny, we find that the play is also about unresolved pain and the untold stories of violence that countless women suffered during the Partition. Nazia’s resolve to revive her theatre company brings back the past, and also Nikhat, her niece Ruby’s daughter. Circumstances force Nazia’s suppressed memories to tumble out and reveal the pain and horror that drives her life and her art.

Directed by Mahesh Dattani, the play stars Sohaila Kapur, Divya Dutta, Swara Bhasker, Sunil Palwal and Deepal Doshi. It will be screened on Dish and D2H Rangmach Active.

Kahaani Mitra Ki : Same-sex relationships do not get equal representation in story-telling even today but in 1982, Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar penned ‘Mitrachi Goshta’, which is considered to be one of the first contemporary Indian plays about this theme. ‘Kahaani Mitra Ki’, based on the Marathi play is set in the pre-Independence era, in a Pune campus where a conventional romance takes an unlikely turn when a triangle develops between three students; Bapu, Mitra and Nama. While Bapu is drawn to Mitra, the latter is attracted to Nama who unfortunately causes her downfall. The play is about the tragedy that social constructs unleash against individuals who don’t fit in. It is about sexual politics, betrayal and self-destruction in a society that does not understand unconventional relationships.

Directed by Akash Khurana, the play stars Sayalee Phatak, Parna Pethe, Abhay Mahajan, Om Bhutkar and Priyanshu Painyuli.It will be screened on TataPlay Theatre.

Love : Love is a transformational force and so is creativity but this play examines what happens when a beautiful creation comes to life and begins to challenge its creator. Will the creator be able to take it if the creation begins to express thoughts and emotions of its own? Are we to believe that nothing that we create belongs ultimately to us? The play is also a comment on how scientific tools are taking over our life as it tells the story of a man who creates a robot to convince his interfering mother that he is getting married. But as the robot becomes increasingly self-willed, this strange love story takes an unusual turn.

Directed by Karan Talwar, the play stars Rajeev Siddhartha, Yuki Ellias, Shivam Patil, Sonali Sachdev, Payal Nair, Nandini Sen, Priti Shroff and Suhani Gandhi. It will be screened on TataPlay Theatre.

The post On World Theatre Day, feast on timeless stories that mirror our social and cultural realities brought to you by Zee Theatre! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Wrong Turn – Featuring Varun Badola, Govin Namdev, Suneel Sinha, Lait Tiwari

The play is inspired by the German story, Breakdown, which touches on various aspects of life through the protagonist, Arun Mehra. One rainy night, Arun walks into an old house and finds three retired lawyers amusing themselves with an unusual game that he agrees to join. The lawyers recreate a trial scene with one of them agreeing to prosecute Arun, while the other defends him. They promise him a fair trial, but if proven guilty, a severe fate awaits him.

The Relationship Agreement – Featuring Sumona Chakravarti, Darius Shroff, Sajeel Parakh

The play revolves around the couple who draws up a relationship contract to avoid the trials and errors of a relationship. Things get further complicated when their parents meet each other on social media and start dating. Will the young couple be able to stick to the agreement? A humorous take on modern relationships, the play is almost like a stand-up comedy; it keeps you amused all through.

Doll’s House – Featuring Swastika Mukherjee, Subhrajyoti Barat, Joy Sengupta, Ratnabali Bhattacharya and Dibyendu Bhattacharya

The story revolves around the married couple NORA and TORVALD.  The husband considers his wife, a prized possession, like a doll, to be played with and for entertainment only. For him, Nora is weak, cannot take decisions, and does not consider her  an equal partner in marriage. The story will make you question if a woman is merely a subordinate to the husband in a hierarchy imposed by society, and what place does equality hold in a marriage?

Hamidabai Ki Kothi – Featuring Rasika Duggal, Himani Shivpuri, Amruta Subhash, Ganesh Yadav

Written by Anil Barve, the play goes back to 1978, where Hamidabai, a spirited artist of the dying Kotha tradition, is determined to not let the demands of the popular culture corrupt her establishment, despite societal and financial pressure. Her educated daughter Shabbo was forced to return to an empty and almost bankrupt business, much to Hamidabai’s dismay. It is up to Shabbo to fight for her ancestral Kotha pride or accede to her husband’s wish to turn it into a brothel.

Jhaanjar Di Paanwan Chhankaar – Sarmad Khoosat, Samiya Mumtaz, Zain Afzal and Iman Shahid

The play is based on a youthful, visually impaired man who chooses to live away from his over-protective mother. He forms a close friendship with his neighbour (an actor) who is set to essay an unusual role in a film. The play addresses how society responds to individuals with disabilities, be it physical or emotional, and regards them as pariahs.

Sir Sir Sarla – Starring Makrand Deshpande, Aahana Kumra, Sanjay Dadhich, Faisal Rashid

Sir Sir Sarla is the story of Professor Palekar and his student Sarla – the pretty, innocent young girl who seems to be enamoured by her mentor – and Phanidhar who shares a love-hate relationship with the professor. The play explores the bond between the students and their professor, which faces many ebbs and flaws. Secrets are revealed, accusations are thrown, and the three lives remain interwoven for many years to come.

Ladies Sangeet – Starring Joy Sengupta, Loveleen Mishra, Nidhi Singh, Siddhant Karnick, Harsh Khurana

This play tells the story of young Radha, who is to wed her beau Siddharth at her ancestral home in the hinterlands while her enthusiastic family members and their wedding planner are trying to make the wedding resemble the ones in Bollywood! The play uses wit, humour, music, and drama to bring out relevant challenges faced by families, and individuals, especially against the backdrop of a big, fat wedding.

Tata Sky Theatre service is available for subscribers on  #316 and on the Tata Sky Mobile App under Live TV.

The post Celebrate World Theatre Day with these exquisite plays on Tata Sky Theatre! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Rohitashv Gour, aka Manmohan Tiwari, shares, “Theatre is where I was born. It is like home to me, and I will always have an emotional connection to it. Coming from a small town, we participated in dramatics in school. It was the most expressive one can be without being vulnerable. I found it to be a hidden power and fell in love with theatre instantly. This World Theatre Day, I would like to congratulate the entire industry for making it so far!” Yogesh Tripathi, aka Happu Singh, comments, “My journey began with Lucknow theatre. Learning from the stalwarts of theatre gives me immense respect for this industry. The showcased plays had a very typical style of performing, and the genres back then were restricted to comedy, romance or suspense. Nowadays, the genres are more evolved, with drama, rom-com and topical issues doing the rounds. I will always be grateful to the theatre as it gave me my first role in the television industry and made me who I am today.” Kamna Pathak, aka Rajesh Singh,shares, “Today on World Theatre Day, I recall so many memories. This one time, I forgot the lines of my dialogue, but instead of using Hindi, I spoke in Urdu. The entire team had a hearty laugh once the play was over. Those were the golden days of my life, from sharing the stage with seasoned artists such as Saurav Shukla and Manoj Joshi to working with M.S Sathyu Saab. I consider myself truly fortunate. Theatre as a medium has evolved quite a lot. Earlier it was mostly Indian drama and mythology, but today we have an array of wonderful pieces.”

Himani Shivpuri, aka Katori Amma, adds, “Theatre is the oldest form of art and is very close to me. Having spent my early days of a career working with amazing personalities such as Surekha Sikri and Uttara Baokar has been a wonderful learning experience. I still remember the day I was performing Desdemona, a character from Othello, in a small village; we were worried if the rural audience would understand Shakespeare. But to our pleasant surprise, the villagers watched our play with pin-drop silence throughout, with applauds coming in at the right places. It made me realise how much we misinterpret people living in the interiors of India. Theatre is ever-evolving!”

The post &TV’s artists underlines the importance of theatre on ‘World Theatre Day’! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.