Eminent actor Faisal Malik, celebrated for his beloved role as 'Prahlad Chacha' in the hit web series 'Panchayat', has made a strong pitch for introducing theatre as a compulsory subject in Indian schools. He believes this should start as early as Class II or III.
A Call for Serious Theatre Education
Speaking at a special session titled 'Star of the City' during the second day of the 'Bazm-e-Virasat' event in Prayagraj, Malik elaborated on his vision. He proposed that students should engage in theatre studies for at least one or two periods every Friday and Saturday.
He emphasised that theatre in schools must be treated with seriousness and not reduced to a mere formality or token performances during events like Teachers' Day. "Theatre should be treated seriously in schools, not as a formality," he remarked. According to Malik, early exposure helps nurture talent from a young age and also prepares aspiring artists for the practical realities of building a career later in life.
Prayagraj Stars Share Their Journeys
The session brought together several nationally recognised personalities from Prayagraj. Actor Nidhi Singh shared her story of moving to Mumbai for studies, venturing into modelling, and gradually finding her footing in the entertainment industry.
Her brother, singer Shashwat Singh, spoke about growing up in a musically inclined household devoted to Shri Sathya Sai Baba, where daily riyaaz and bhajans instilled discipline in him.
Actor Deep Raj Rana, known for films like Metro, recalled wanting to become an actor from Class 3 and spoke about the close bond among artists from Prayagraj who now live in Mumbai.
Veteran actor Aditya Srivastava, widely recognised as Inspector Abhijeet from the long-running series CID, reflected on his journey. He was associated with theatre in Prayagraj for over three years before achieving fame on television.
Malik's Emotional Return and Message to Youth
In an informal interaction, Faisal Malik fondly recalled his early days in Prayagraj. He spoke emotionally about returning to his school, which was also the venue for the event. He described his journey to success, which involved doing various odd jobs in Mumbai to sustain himself while struggling to build a career.
Malik stated that his path was marked by uncertainty until 'Panchayat' made him a familiar face in households across India. He urged young people not to fear difficulties, calling struggle an inevitable and valuable part of life's journey.
The collective insights from these artists highlighted the foundational role that early artistic exposure and a supportive environment can play in shaping successful careers in the competitive world of arts and entertainment.
