NewKerala.com

Saurabh Shukla: True Art Has No Baggage, Only Joy of Creation

Veteran actor Saurabh Shukla dismisses the idea that past iconic roles create baggage for artists, emphasizing the pure joy of creation. He draws a parallel to cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, who play for love of the game, not to repeat past milestones. Shukla warns that intentionally trying to create a "classic" will hold an artist back, as classics emerge organically from the work. His latest film, "Jab Khuli Kitaab," explores themes of love and secrets within a long-term marriage.

Key Points: Saurabh Shukla on Art Without Baggage & Creating Classics

  • Art comes from joy, not pressure
  • Don't chase creating classics
  • Compare actors to cricket legends
  • New role is a fresh experience
2 min read

Saurabh Shukla: You don't actually carry your baggage when you go to create art

Veteran actor Saurabh Shukla says artists shouldn't carry past success baggage. He compares acting to cricket legends playing for love, not pressure.

Saurabh Shukla: You don't actually carry your baggage when you go to create art
"You don't actually carry your baggage when you go to create art. You just go for the fun of it. - Saurabh Shukla"

Mumbai, March 30

Veteran actor Saurabh Shukla believes that true artistry comes without the burden of past success, stressing that actors should focus on the joy of creation rather than the pressure of living up to iconic roles.

Speaking about whether memorable performances bring added responsibility, Saurabh dismissed the idea of carrying expectations into new work.

Drawing a parallel with cricket, he said every great player from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, plays each ball for the love of the game, not the pressure of repeating past milestones.

Applying the same philosophy to acting, the actor told IANS that stepping into a new role is about experiencing something fresh.

"You don't actually carry your baggage when you go to create art. You don't. You just go for the fun of it. I've got a chance to create another thing. That's it."

The actor, known for his unforgettable performances as the sharp-witted lawyer in Jolly LLB, the quirky Kallu Mama in Satya, and the menacing crime lord in Badshah, has built a career on characters that have stayed with audiences long after the credits roll.

He added that chasing the idea of creating a "classic" can often hold artists back. According to him, classics are never made with intention but emerge organically.

"The day you realize this, and I'm saying this for real, to every aspiring artist, the day you realize that you have to create, or you're responsible to create a classic, you will never be able to create a classic. Classics are not created. You create something and that becomes classic."

Saurabh's latest release is "Jab Khuli Kitaab".

The film follows the story of an old couple, Gopal and Anusuya's decades-long marriage, which faces upheaval when a revelation surfaces. As secrets emerge, the family navigates emotions both touching and comedic, exploring love, companionship, forgiveness, and rediscovering one another.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The cricket analogy is perfect for us Indians to understand! Every ball is a new ball, every role is a new role. You can't play a cover drive thinking about your last century. Brilliant insight from a legend.
R
Rohit P
True. But isn't there also a responsibility to your audience? When you've given us Kallu Mama and that Jolly LLB lawyer, we naturally expect magic. It's a fine balance, no? Not easy to just "forget" your own iconic work.
M
Meera T
This is the advice every young actor in Mumbai needs to hear. The pressure to deliver a hit or an iconic scene is crushing so much talent. Just create for the joy of it. The rest will follow. All the best for 'Jab Khuli Kitaab'!
D
David E
Interesting perspective. It's a universal artistic struggle, but framing it through cricket makes it uniquely Indian. Classics emerge, they aren't manufactured. Wise words.
S
Siddharth J
Exactly! Look at his filmography - from Satya to now. Each character is distinct. He doesn't repeat himself because he isn't carrying the baggage of "I must be as funny as Kallu Mama". He just becomes the new person. A masterclass.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50