shah-rukh-a-natakwala-first-superstar-later-nsd-chief

Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of the National School of Drama, says that Shah Rukh Khan is a theatre personality first and then a superstar. Tripathy identifies with King Khan’s journey as an "ordinary person from an ordinary family" who achieved remarkable things.

 

“NSD would be lucky if Shah Rukh Khan visited as a guest,” added Tripathy, who is a successful theatre, TV, and cinema artist himself. The drama school is known for its illustrious alumni, including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur and Irrfan Khan.

 

“Shah Rukh Khan has done a lot of theatre with Barry John (in Delhi). I consider him a theatre person… I consider him a natakwala first, he is a superstar later,” Tripathy said in an interview.

 

The NSD director said he feels happy a theatre person has become “such a huge superstar”.

 

“I think that an ordinary person from an ordinary family rose to extraordinary heights, I see myself in that. I am like, 'wow', this is me even though I am not that. It is his money, but because he is a theatre person, I feel like this is me,” he added.

 

Before joining NSD as director in October 2023, Tripathi worked as director, writer, actor and musician in theatre, TV and films. He is known for his work in theatre productions like “Samudra Manthan”, “Gannu Bhai”, and “Taj Mahal Ka Tender”, and roles in Hindi films such as “Talvar”, “Zubaan” and “Mukkabaaz”.

 

The artiste has also worked in web series, including “Rasbhari”, “Raktanchal”, “Farzi” and “MOM”.

 

Tripathy termed Shah Rukh a “brilliant actor”.

 

“I am calling him brilliant because of the style that he has embodied. Many big actors, even those in Hollywood, carry a certain style. And the style that he discovered for himself was new, unique and independent in itself. Crores of people have accepted it, now who am I to certify it,” the 53-year-old said.

 

“Plus the kind of guts he has shown is commendable. When an ordinary person, coming from an ordinary family, stands out in a maze like this, then you have to have belief in yourself. This strong belief of Shah Rukh Khan in himself is what makes him a brilliant actor,” he added.

 

NSD will be hosting the 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav from January 28. The theatre festival will feature over 200 performances, including 10 international productions, across 10 Indian cities, along with Colombo and Kathmandu.