18 Facts About Saurabh Shukla, The Gift Of Theatre To Bollywood

Television is a very influencing thing. People call it an idiot box for many reasons but we cannot deny that it is one of the greatest inventions of all time, in terms of visual mass communication. The television and the cinema have made a lot of people notable for their amazing work in the industry of cinema, music and other fields. These people reach superstardom for their work that people appreciate so much that they follow. These people become actual inspirations for normal people. One such personality is Saurabh Shukla, who is one of our favorites Indian film and television actor. He has appeared in so many movies, and his character in all the movies are varyingly different and mostly funny. His comedy has won all of our hearts. He is also a director and screenwriter.

So we have brought you some of the most interesting facts about this versatile actor Saurabh Shukla that you would love to know!

1. Saurabh Shukla was born on March 5, 1963 in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

2. His father was Shri Shatrughan Shukla, who was a vocalist from Agra Gharana, and mother Smt. Jogamaya Shukla.

Jogamaya Shukla happens to be the first female tabla player from India. His elder brother, lives in Botswana, southern Africa and is a commerce teacher but he’s also into music.

3. He and his family moved from Gorakhpur to Delhi, when he was just two years old.

He did his schooling from Delhi, and his graduation from Khalsa Colle, in Delhi.

4. Saurabh was inclined towards sports when he was in Standard 9 and 10.

Then he started playing table tennis, which he do even today.

5. Saurabh is married to Shukla Barnali Ray

Barnali Ray Shukla dons many hats – that of a writer-director, a documentary filmmaker and a poet. She has been associated with the movies like Kucch Luv Jaisaa, Liquid Borders and Thoda Life Thoda Magic.

6. Had always shown an inclination towards the theater and other activities that involved acting

He began his career with his entry to the theatre in 1984. In 1986, Saurabh began performing serious roles in the plays like A View From The Bridge (Arthur Miller), Look Back in Anger (John Osborne), GhashiramKotwal (Vijay Tendulkar) and Hayvadan. Since then, he has received really good appreciation for his skills.

7. In the year 1991, he associated himself with NSD Repertoire Company.

It happens to be the National School of Drama’s professional wing. He received his big role in Bandit Queen by impressing Shekhar Kapoor, who was really impressed with his work.

8. He made multiple appearances on the TV, like Zee TV’s 9 Malabar Hill and 1990s Doordarshan TV Serial Mulla Nasiruddin.

9. His big break came when his script for Satya, 1998 which is a cult classic by Rahul Varma.

Shukla played the role of gangster Kallu Mama in the film.

10. Also, in 2003, Saurabh came up with the screenplay for Calcutta Mail and it became quite popular.

He received his first-ever Zee Cine Award for Best Screenplay.

11. Don’t have enough money

In an interview with Rediff, Saurabh Shukla speaks,

After spending many years in theatre, I still did not have enough money

12. He has also made his appearance in some of the international movies like Slumdog Millionaire as a police constable called Srinivas.

13. For his extremely good acting in Barfi he received a nomination from IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In an unconventional role he played a bumbling policeman from Bengal. Ranbir Kapoor and the director Anurag Basu added that the movie resuscitated his acting.

Barfi is also one of Saurabh’s dearest films.

14. He has been the screenwriter and a director to a lot of movies as well.

He was the screenwriter for his first movie, Satya back in 1998. Since then, he has been the screenwriter for movies like Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!! from 2000, Raghu Romeo and Calcutta Mail from 2003. The first movie that he directed was Munda-The Issue from 2003. Nevertheless, he was also a screenwriter to the movie.

15. Another spectacular role, as Justice Sunderlal Tripathi, in Jolly LLB from 2013.

He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was also nominated for IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor.

16. His favorite activities to do in the free time are reading, writing and watching movies.

They build up his thought process and thus the acting, direction and the screenwriting.

17. Saurabh believes in taking a vacation off by building a play and working on it.

Instead of going to vacation to a fancy place and shares his pictures on his social media handles.

18. One of the most successful television shows by Saurabh Shukla is Tehkikaat.

Also read: 18 Lesser-Known Facts About Sanjay Mishra, A Powerhouse Of Acting