Saurabh Shukla

Biography:

Saurabh Shukla, is an Indian actor, screenwriter, and film director, is renowned for his work in Hindi as well as some Tamil and Telugu films. He is celebrated for his performances in movies such as “Satya” (1998), “Nayak: The Real Hero” (2001), “Yuva” (2004), “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” (2006), “Barfi!” (2012), “Jolly LLB” (2013), “Kick” (2014), “PK” (2014), “Jolly LLB 2” (2017), “Raid” (2018), and “Drishyam 2” (2022). Additionally, he appeared in a short documentary with Ruth Agnihotri and Rachael Agnihotri in Goa. In 2014, Shukla earned the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Jolly LLB.”

His professional journey began in 1984 with his entry into theatre. By 1986, he was engaged in serious theatre, performing in plays such as “A View From The Bridge” (Arthur Miller), “Look Back in Anger” (John Osborne), “Ghashiram Kotwal” (Vijay Tendulkar), and “Hayvadan.” In 1991, he joined the NSD Repertoire Company, the professional wing of the National School of Drama, as an actor. The following year, he got his first break when Shekhar Kapur, impressed by his talent, created a role for him in “Bandit Queen.” Shukla’s significant breakthrough came when he co-wrote the script for Ram Gopal Varma’s 1998 cult classic “Satya” and portrayed the gangster Kallu Mama, earning the Star Screen Award for Best Screenplay alongside Anurag Kashyap.

Born on March 5, 1963, to Jogamaya Shukla, India’s first female tabla player, and Shatrughan Shukla, a vocalist from the Agra Gharana, Shukla’s family moved from Gorakhpur to Delhi when he was two years old. He completed his schooling and graduated from S.G.T.B. Khalsa College, Delhi.