The very rudimentary distinction between Theatre and film is ‘communication’. While the need of the audience definitely remains in the commonalities, theatre still happens to blossom at the top when it comes to ‘better understanding’ and relation between the ‘audience’ and the ‘stage actors’. Theatre is known as a ‘breathing art form’, the very ‘realness’ goes mislaid when it comes to cinema. And these fundamentals do matter when it comes to ‘performance’ and then when you are an actor.
If you look into the rundown of the actors in Bollywood who came down to cinema with a prior theatre experience are always venerated to be the ‘real-time actors’ and are true gems when it comes to their prowess on the screen. But sometimes exceptions happen! With which, we are here today, with the list of some very talented actors from B-town who have never been to theatres but still nurtured their skills well, to begin with!
Alia Bhatt
Giving three back-to-back hits this year, starting off with Gangubai Kathiawadi, RRR and now Brahmastra, Alia Bhatt definitely could be pronounced as the brand in making Indian cinema, or better, she is already one! Venturing into this glam industry at the very tender age of 19 with her debut Student Of The Year, Bhatt has come a long way. But to our astonishment, the actress has never been to acting school. Besides that, while her deliberate portrayals of different characters in every movie so far, made us think that she might be a theatre gem, for that’s where you get on to learn ‘method acting’; Alia Bhatt however has skipped theatre and ventured straight into films.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone lies on the very topmost row when it comes to Indian actresses. Debuting with Om Shanti Om, opposite Shah Rukh Khan. However, her exposure to theatre and acting schools had no end, for her background was of a ‘sportsman’. Being the daughter of the infamous Prakash Padukone, an Indian badminton player, DP had all the necessary exposure towards sports, but acting ventures. The actress earned recognition with her featuring in the ‘Naam Hai Tera’ music video, by Himesh Reshammiya.
Ranbir Kapoor
Whenever we talk of Ranbir Kapoor, time rolls back to the days of Saawariya. In the debut film of the actor, where he got introduced as this cute, chocolate boy gesture leaving all of us bamboozled with his ‘dreamboat’ vibes. However, RK has proven to be one of the most versatile actors in the rundown. Giving his grand chops with different roles so far now, with an ongoing hit Brahmastra, Ranbir Kapoor has made the country proud. But talking of his theatre background, Ranbir Kapoor never went to theatres. Well, we don’t think it had affected his skills however though! For belonging from the glowing ‘Kapoors’ RK already has got it in his nerves.
Tiger Shroff
We still think that Shroff could have taken up ‘fitness’ as his alternative career any day. But nevertheless, he has shown his timeless acting prowess on the screen too, with mega commercial movies so far. While it’s been a roaring showcase of his ‘Martial Arts’ skills and it is still now with his films back-to-back, Shroff has managed to earn recognition from the country. But talking of his theatre background, the actor had gotten no exposure to the theatrical verse before he ventured into acting.
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra shot to fame with her venture into Femina Miss India 2000. Talking about it, PeeCee said that it was her mother who sent her pictures to the contest, without letting PeeCee know about it. However, since then Priyanka Chopra had no looking back. She is now a global star and has not only marked her niche in Bollywood but in Hollywood as well. However, given her grand acting chops on the screen, it’s very obvious for us to think that she had exposure to the theatrical process, but it isn’t the case.
Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif’s journey from Hawaii to India has been a terrific one! She signed with a jewellery brand as he first modelling assignment, with which she earned recognition in the country. And now with that, she has now completed a wholesome 19 years in the industry, however with no theatrical background in her career graph.
Shahid Kapoor
Starting off his career as a background dancer, Shahid Kapoor has not only ventured all grand with his acting chops on the screen, but the actor has also carved his niche as a talented dancer. But talking of his theatrical background, he has never been to it, while his father Pankaj Kapur worked in Hindi theatre before venturing into films.
Kareena/Karisma Kapoor
The queens of Bollywood and popular sister duo from the nation, while have got their own separate niches in the industry, given their stellar work folios to date; neither of them had ever gone to theatres to date. However, Kareena Kapoor earlier in an interview has spoken about her interest in doing theatres, saying, “I would love to do theatre, but I am really scared. In films, we are used to delayed gratification. But I feel performing on stage is an instant thing and I am very scared of that,”
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan, son of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan has never experienced theatrical exposure to date. While he has got his own shares of flops so far in the industry so far now, the actor has also delivered some grand performances in films like Guru, Paa and more.
Varun Dhawan
Debuting with the film Student Of The Year, Varun Dhawan has definitely come a long way to date. However, while he has never been to theatres, Varun Dhawan has worked as an assistant director to Karan Johar for the film My Name Is Khan.
Sidharth Malhotra
Sidharth Malhotra came to the acting world, with a very minor role in the tv industry, in the show Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan back in 2009. However, later to that, he worked as an assistant director to Karan Johar in the movie My Name Is Khan and debuted with the movie Student Of The Year. Given that, his chances to grip in the theatre got to nowhere, for since his debut with the movie SOTY, Sidharth Malhotra had no looking back in his career graph.
Arjun Kapoor
Being the son of Boney Kapoor and Mona Shourie, Arjun Kapoor had got all the roots and genes that upheld his prowess as an actor. He debuted with the movie Ishaqzaade along with Parineeti Chopra. He however started off his career as assistant director for the movie Kal Ho Na Ho back in 2003. Talking of his theatrical background, the actor has never got stage exposure before venturing into films.