Exclusive | Ishaqzaade actor Anil Rastogi on Padma Shri: Science helped my art, award gives me fuel to work harder
As a retired scientist and busy actor, Dr Anil Rastogi’s spirit at the age of 82 is enviable. Having acted for 61 years, he recently completed his 100th play, has featured in over 70 films, 12 OTT series, and 500 TV episodes. Anil Rastogi and in a still from Ishaqzaade The Government of India’s announcement of a Padma Shri for the Ishaqzaade (2012) actor is an apt reward for his talent and hard work. “It’s a matter of great satisfaction and honour for me. I have sailed on two boats—science and art—and fortunately succeeded in both. I am a fellow at both the National Academy of Sciences and the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy. So, getting the Padma Shri gives me fuel to work harder,” says the actor, who recently shot for Ritam Srivastav’s Raktanchal and Neelesh Mishra’s short film, and will next shoot for a Prakash Jha film. He credits his move to Mumbai to take up TV and films at the age of 70 for making this possible. “Ishaqzaade made me a household …
