Anil Rastogi, a very famous personality of theatre and television from Lucknow is a proud for us. Being M.Sc (Biochemistry) and Ph.D, he retired as Scientist from Central Drug Research Institute, Chattar Manzil, Lucknow. He is well versed in Hindi, Urdu, English and German languages. He has been a combination of two different disciplines – Science and Art ! As Scientist, he is credited to have published more than 100 research papers in National and International journals & also presented in conferences. He is elected as Fellow of National Academy of Sciences for significant contributions in the field of Biological Sciences.
As Actor, he has been performing on stage for last 50 years and have given more than 850 performances of about 80 plays at different parts of the country including New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Goa, Bangluru, Mysore , Kanpur, Allahabad and Lucknow. Some of the roles that audience has greatly cherished are Azra Yehoodi in ‘Yehoodi Ki Ladki’, Rustam in ‘Rustam Sohrab’, Kapil in ‘Haya Vadan’, Eddi in ‘A View From the Bridge’, Fando in ‘Fando and Lis’, Sakharam in ‘Sakharam Binder’, Jailor Glad in ‘Thank You Mr Glad’, Pawan the Casanova in ‘Panchi Ja Panchi Aa’ (adaptation of film Boeing-Boeing ; more than 400 shows of this play were done all over the country ), Shahjahan in ‘Taj Mahal ka Tender’, Mukhya Mantri in ‘Mukhya Mantri’, Auragzeb in’ Shahjahan’, Devlalikar in ‘Kaya Daan’, Dada Purohit in ‘Mitra’, Pandey Ji in ‘Ek Sansadiya Samiti Ki Uthak Baithak’ and Daulat Rao in ‘Andhar Yatra’. The characters show a great diversity, versatility and range in acting.
Have done some significant roles in films like Ye Wo Manzil To Nahin, Marichika, Khoon Baha Ganga Men, Main Meri Patni aur Vo, Chintoo Ji, Coffee House and Monica. Latest film with an important role is Yash Raj Films Production Ishaqzade directed by Habib Faisal released in May 2012. Have been ‘A’ Grade artist of Akashwani as well as Doordarshan and have been performing in Radio since 1972 and in Doordarshan since its inception at Lucknow in 1975. Have participated in more than 500 programmes of Radio and TV in form of Radio and TV Plays, Tele films, features, discussions at Local and National Network. The most Popular serial has been Udaan of Kavita Chowdhry portraying the role of Senior Suprintendent of Police and mentor of lady police officer ( the heroin ). Besides other popular serials have been Jahan Chan Vahan Raah, Daani Mordhwaj, Mukhra Kya Dekhen Darpan Me, Biwi Natiyon Wali, Bano Begum, Nachyo Bahut Gopal, Pili Andhi etc.
Have been conferred with Sangeet Natak Academy Award of Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy in 1984. Besides, many other institutions have also felicitated for contributions to theatre like Aijaz Rizwi Award, Amrit Lal Naagar Smriti Samman, Sraswati Samman, Fida Hussain Narsi Samman, Awadhi Asmita Samman, Fankar Society of India’s Utpal Dutt Award,Rang Yatra Award and several others.
As Leader in theatre, he have been Secretary and Leader of Darpan, Lucknow, the leading and oldest amateur theatre group of Northen India for last 33 years. During this tenure activities of the group tremendously increased giving regular performances at Lucknow and other parts of the country and inviting Directors from National School of Drama and Bhartendu Natya Academy for directing plays and conducting workshops. Young local talent was also encouraged to direct the plays. Plays of diverse linguistic provenance such as Urdu, Bengali, Marathi,Gujrati, Kannad, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian etc were presented in Hindi utilizing originals of adaptive translations. Under the leadership , Darpan attained the distinction of being the only amateur theatre organization of the country to have completed 50 years of Regulat Threatre. To commemorate the occasion a 10 day Grand Drama Festival was organized at Lucknow in December, 2010.
Founder LUCKNOW Society was privilege to discus the aspects of theatre in Lucknow as particular with the legend. LUCKNOW Society Salutes Anil Rastogi for being as one of the prominent theatre & television personality who has elevated the name of not only Lucknow but India also. He is an inspiration for the youths. We wish him all the best for his career.