Mumbai, March 27
On the occasion of World Theatre Day, actor Chandan Roy Sanyal shared his deep passion for theatre and highlighted the rich heritage of the art form in India.
While acknowledging the country’s historic theatre culture, he also emphasized the need for greater support to help it flourish. He told, “Theatre in my country is one of the oldest forms of art in the entire world, and we have an amazing theatre culture, history, and industry. However, he noted that despite this legacy, theatre has often been sidelined.
“Somehow, we have lost as a poor form of art… I don’t know why. More support should pour in from the government. Though the audience for theatre is there, I think theatre should be taught in schools from Class 1.”
Sanyal also spoke about the essence of true artistry, stating that for a real theatre artist, money and recognition are secondary. “I don’t think there is any struggle for money because the real artist will not think about money and recognition. It comes automatically. Because you work for the art, I don’t think it’s about money.”
Reflecting on his most memorable stage experience, the ‘Aashram’ actor recalled performing at one of the oldest theatres in the UK. “That moment was truly special, a testament to how theatre connects artists across cultures and generations.”