Press Release Distribution

Celebrating his 75th birthday, veteran actor Aanjjan Srivastav views this milestone as a gentle nudge to conquer new horizons in his career. Widely recognized by the Indian audience as Srinivas Wagle, the common man from the renowned Doordarshan show “Wagle Ki Duniya” in the late 1980s, Srivastav shared his excitement about the birthday plans arranged by his children. He disclosed in an interview with PTI that the celebration would entail a screening of some of his best works, followed by a lively gathering of old friends and colleagues.

Srivastav’s journey from being a bank employee engrossed in reading plays on All India Radio to joining the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) upon his arrival in Mumbai during the late 1970s has been an extraordinary one. Comparing acting to life itself, Srivastav expressed his eagerness to explore the digital landscape after engaging with various forms of artistic expression. He previously starred in the Disney+ Hotstar series “Out of Love” and now aspires to delve deeper into the realm of web series. He enthusiastically expressed his enjoyment of this medium, stating, “There is always something to learn in life, and similarly in acting, you keep on learning. I have delved into radio plays, stage plays, television, advertisements, cinema, and web series. Now, I have a strong desire to engage in more web series. It brings me immense joy.”

Throughout the years, Srivastav has maintained a grounded approach to his work, attributing his success to collaborating with talented directors and actors. He humbly mentioned, “I am still the same; I live within a middle-class family setup.” He credited his introduction to IPTA to a fortuitous encounter with the legendary screen icon Balraj Sahni in Kolkata. “I became his fan and learned more about him, his philanthropic endeavors, and his involvement with IPTA. Acting is not merely about delivering dialogues or dancing; it requires a deep understanding of various aspects. IPTA taught me more about acting,” he added.

His association with IPTA allowed Srivastav to connect with esteemed individuals such as Kundan Shah, the director of “Wagle Ki Duniya,” the creator-cartoonist R K Laxman, and the renowned poet Kaifi Azmi. Srivastav was unable to articulate the profound impact these personalities had on his life and acting career. He also acknowledged the challenges of performing theater at his age but emphasized his unwavering dedication to it. On July 2, he will grace the stage in Ahmedabad with the production “Kashmakash,” which revolves around the story of a freedom fighter.

“For me, there is no distinction between theater and life. I pray to God that I continue doing theater until the very end of my life. Regardless of my involvement in television and movies, theater is an art form I will never abandon,” Srivastav passionately declared.

Despite his love for theater, Srivastav remains active in the world of cinema. His upcoming project is “Sam Bahadur,” featuring Vicky Kaushal in the lead role, which portrays the life and accomplishments of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, one of India’s greatest war heroes. Srivastav expressed his admiration for the new generation of actors, including Ayushmann Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal, whom he has had the privilege to work with. He believes that down-to-earth actors are inherently remarkable since they infuse their on-screen performances with genuine life experiences.

While Srivastav is widely recognized for his pivotal roles in films such as “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar,” “Chamatkar,” “Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman,” “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa,” “Chak De! India,” and “Sanju,” he never aspired to be a typical “hero” on screen. Reflecting on his early days in Calcutta, he expressed, “I never let the notion of being a hero overshadow me. Even though people used to call me ‘Jeetendra’ due to my resemblance to the actor in my youth, I was determined to portray diverse characters and delve into their depths.”

Srivastav vividly remembers the days when he would knock on production house doors in search of acting opportunities. However, everything changed with the success of “Wagle Ki Duniya,” a television series based on R.K. Laxman’s beloved character, “the common man.” He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Laxman for the immense popularity and countless work opportunities that came his way after the show.

The series garnered immense acclaim, leaving many artists astounded. Srivastav recalled encounters with curious individuals who would ask, “What have you done?” One of those individuals was the late Hindi cinema star Rishi Kapoor. Fondly reminiscing their conversation, Srivastav shared, “Rishi Kapoor once asked me, ‘What is this ‘Wagle Ki Duniya,’ and what have you done in it?’ I replied, ‘I did the same thing any actor would do, but people started perceiving me differently.’ The show opened doors to abundant work opportunities for me.” Srivastav also expressed his deep appreciation for Kundan Shah, who believed in his acting prowess and cast him in numerous acclaimed TV shows and films, including popular sitcoms like “Wagle Ki Duniya,” “Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi,” “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa,” and “Dil Hai Tumhaara.” Notable mentions from his filmography include “Damini” and “Chak De! India,” among others.