Veteran actor Anup Upadhyay who is better known as ‘Mamaji’ of lapataganj and now is winning hearts as Murari Bansal of Jijaji Chhat Par Hain was in Bhopal on Tuesday, said “Habib Tanvir was an ‘institute’ himself”. Anup is considered as an ace actor and comedian in television industry. His perfect comedy timing and expressions not only makes people laugh, but also love the characters he plays.
While in a candid rendezvous with The Pioneer, Anup shared about his days in theatre when he worked with the legendary playwright Habib Tanvir. Not only this, but also the shortcomings in theatre industry. Anup also emphasized He also talked comedy as a big genre and how it has changed over the years. Anup hails from Ganjdundwara in Uttar Pradesh and is the only actor from his family.
“After my graduation I shifted to Delhi and there I met the legendary playwright Habib Tanvir. I have many memories attached with him and II can never forget his contributions in building my career.”
Elaborating further, Anup said, “I feel blessed that I have worked with Habib sahib. For over 10 years I was associated with Naya Theatre Group. Even now we stage plays and in coming time we will be staging another show of Habib sahab’s Agra Bazaar.”
His character in Agra Bazaar is yet another light and comic character, he added.
Anup said that it becomes very difficult to match up timings between theatre and television and so he really misses his theatre days.
“But, time to time I keep on doing theatres,” he said. On asking about what could be the shortcomings in theatre industry, Anup highlighted few points. He said, “The biggest shortcoming in Hindi theatre is that there is no profit. Secondly people are not willing to put their money in theatre. Thirdly, scripts are not as powerful as before.”
Talking about Bhopal’s theatre, Anup said, “Though I have worked with Habib sahib, but I never received
an opportunity to stage a performance in Bhopal or even to watch one. But I am looking forward to witness a theatre performance here someday and I admire the fact that people here appreciate art.”