At the Jagran Film Festival, celebrated actor Manoj Bajpayee spoke candidly about the National School of Drama (NSD) in India during an engaging interaction.
Jagran Film Festival (JFF) is a travelling film festival that was founded in India in 2010. The festival is an initiative of the Jagran Prakashan Group, with the aim of promoting the appreciation of cinematic art in smaller towns beyond the major metropolitan cities of India.
It serves as a platform to showcase diverse films and engage audiences across different regions.
When asked about the significance of NSD and its role in shaping actors and theatre artists, Bajpayee emphasised the essence of learning and doing.“The most important thing is that you are able to do it, and the most important thing is that you are able to do it correctly. It’s not just about knowing but about doing it the right way,” he explained, underscoring the practical aspect of theatrical education.He highlighted that criticism, often viewed negatively, is actually a form of teaching designed to motivate students to grow and eventually become teachers themselves.
Bajpayee also described NSD as an institution dedicated to teaching and learning, where students learn from one another in an environment that fosters growth and collaboration.
“National Drama School is a place where students can participate and learn, not only from instructors but also from their peers,” he added.The actor praised the role of directors and guest lecturers in enriching the learning experience, calling students the most important element of the institution.
These days, it is a common complaint among the young graduates of the National School of Drama (NSD) that they are not getting as much opportunity to learn as they used to get earlier.
The reason is one is the lack of teachers, and the other is that the teachers who are there are so busy that they are not able to give much time to the students.
Recently, Manoj Bajpayee also expressed his feelings about NSD on the stage of the Jagran Film Festival 2025 and said how important it is to open new institutes of it.“The contract administration and guest teachers are all there to support the students, who are the heart of this institution,” Bajpayee remarked.His insights shed light on the rigorous and nurturing environment of NSD, reinforcing its pivotal role in India’s performing arts landscape.(UNI)
