Actor Saurabh Shukla took centre stage on the concluding day of Media Mosaic 2025, the annual communications fest by the department of media science of The Heritage Academy. As part of a film festival organised on April 25, the master actor and storyteller inspired and entertained, engaging in a conversation titled ‘Films and Beyond’ with director Judhajit Sarkar, following it up with an interactive session with students of the college.
An acclaimed actor, screenwriter and director, Shukla shared his knowledge and experience of the world of theatre and films, delving into the art and craft of writing, storytelling and character-building in modern cinema, as the young media studies students listened in rapt attention. The conversation offered his insights into the evolving nature of cinema and the need for all those associated with films, both in front of and behind the camera, to adapt according to the changing needs of the medium. While he refrained from comparing theatre and cinema as art forms, he offered a positive opinion on whether theatre could serve as a definitive training ground for films. He also spoke about his love for writing scripts, ending the conversation with exciting tidbits about his upcoming directorial Jab Khuli Kitaab, a heartwarming comedy starring Dimple Kapadia and Pankaj Kapur, which has been written by him.
Earlier, Shukla was felicitated by The Heritage Academy principal Gour Banerjee, dean of media science department Madhupa Bakshi and CEO of Heritage Group of Institutions Pradip Kumar Agarwal.
t2 caught up with Saurabh Shukla for a quick chat on films and his work on the sidelines. Excerpts.
It is well known that you are not image conscious and that you live a simple, down-to-earth life. In spite of this, how important is it for you to be acknowledged as an actor and win awards?
Recognition is that by which an artiste knows that their work has reached out to people, and we all need a connection with people. So, of course, I want that. Awards are just another way of knowing that your work is appreciated. To that extent it is nice. Beyond that, it has no value.
After three decades in films, how do you feel Hindi cinema has evolved in terms of storytelling and in terms of opportunities for ‘character actors’ like you?
This is a question that has been asked to actors of earlier eras also. What we have to understand is that we are ever-evolving... as people and as a society. So our morality and ethics start changing. Or bending. So it is with art, as it is a reflection of their lives.
So, of course, I have seen changes. It is nothing new. It is bound to change. At a particular period, there were filmmakers who made a certain kind of films, with a certain kind of ethos and then there came along a different set of people who were interested in telling completely different types of stories. And it is good that this change keeps happening.
There was a time when the hero was a man of high principles; he was honest and large-hearted, and the villain was someone with opposite qualities. Today, it is quite different and that’s because the world has changed. Today, you will call a manipulative person smart and that’s who you will see as a hero in your films.
Have new mediums of storytelling changed the way that films are made or even impacted the process of acting?
OTT is a very strong medium and has offered lots of opportunities for work to actors. Cinema has perfected the art of storytelling in the last 125 years. It has figured out how to create a chain of images and tell a story that is roughly two hours long. Now, OTT has to find its own visual language and style because it is mainly based on the concept of binge-watching, where the viewer is expected to watch an eight-hour film at a stretch. The challenge was how to sustain interest in this format. Unlike in films, OTT stories have the opportunity to develop several characters in detail, and so there is the possibility of multiple protagonists, who are all equally important and interesting characters. That is the beauty of this format.
You have played many roles that have an element of comedy in them. Your negative characters also have shades of humour. Do they also reflect your attitude to life in the larger sense?
We all meet a lot of people, right? But who do we find interesting? Those with a sense of humour. That’s an integral part of human character. We all have it in us. Why do we think a knowledgeable person will be serious all the time? Say Gabbar Singh in Sholay. I find him funny, fearful, impulsive and nasty at the same time. He has all the elements in his character to make it interesting. But if there was just one shade to him, people would be bored. In the same way, my characters would also be monotonous if I didn’t portray even a little of their humorous aspect.
You reprise your role as Rameshwar Singh in Raid 2. Tell us something about it.
Firstly, it came as a surprise because I thought that as my character has gone to jail, I wouldn’t be there in it. But they said that Raid 2 cannot happen without Rajaji. What I felt when I heard that is what you feel when you get an award. The character has a very strong presence in the film. He has his moments and I am very excited that I could do it.
What is the toughest role you have played so far and why was it so?
Oh, definitely in PK. As you know my character is a fake godman. I just couldn’t understand him because personally, I am a believer in the idea of the dignity of life. I kept thinking as to what made him so dishonest and manipulative. Then in the climax, you finally realise the belief system of this character, Tapasvi Maharaj, who’s always lying. I found that very complicated to act out but finally, I got it.
Your advice to youngsters aspiring for a career in acting?
I have no great words of advice to give. As they say, when you are in water, you don’t do anything else, you just swim, and I am doing just that.