Up, close and personal with Yashpal Sharma

SD Sharma

‘Jis din se chala hoon meri manzil pe nazar hai,

Aankhon ne kabhi meel ka pathar nahin dekha.’

Drawing inspiration from poet Bashir Badr’s couplet and armed with humility, confidence and resolute resolve, Yashpal Sharma, the lad hailing from sleepy village near Hisar (Haryana) made it to Bollywood with scores of good films to his credit.

Commencing his filmy career with Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa in 1998 starring Jaya Bachan and Nandita Das, he was featured in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, apart from Lagaan, Shool, Arjun Pandit, Gangaajal, Ab Tak Chhappan, Tubelight, Apaharan, Singh is Kingg, Aarakshan, Mera Naam Karegi Roshan, Rowdy Rathore, to name a few. His Haryanvi film Pagdi- The Honour got the National Award. Yashpal Sharma also worked in TV serials like CID, Aahat, Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma and more.

He shares his life experiences and aesthetic journey at a Ru Ba Ru session held at the ongoing TFT Winter National Theatre Festival at Navrang theatre.

Changed scenario

From when he began to how things have shaped up in the film industry, the actor says, “Unlike today, over four decades ago there were not many opportunities either to learn or perform in theatre or films, especially for an art enthusiast like me who comes from a humble background.” It meant a lot of work and Yashpal says, “I had to do many odd jobs to keep my passion alive but encouragement from my brother Ghansham Sharma always inspired me. I had to struggle for three years to get into NSD in 1994 and its repertory later before reaching Mumbai for a greater challenge.”

Selection criterion

Having done such varied roles, what was his way of getting work? Yashpal shares, “Instead of simply approaching for a role, I used to prepare monologues from drama scripts and render it before the director to impress him better.”

Training, a necessity

For those who think NSD or training in theatre is an absolute necessity to enter into films, he maintains, “Your understanding of the subject, role, aesthetic sense and confidence matters a lot. One must keep oneself updated. See I have learnt Gujarati, Marathi and other languages to enlarge my scope for performance.”

Film policy of Haryana

Being a Haryanvi, he is close to his roots. “Haryana has taken a lead in framing state’s film policy, which was initiated in 2016 by Haryana Kala Parishad under Sudesh Sharma. In view of my contribution to it, I am a member of the draft committee. A film city will soon come up in Morni Hills.”

New role

Yashpal says he takes pride in serving the folk theatre cultural heritage of his state. “Accordingly, I had completed the first part of the prestigious film on legendary folklorist and playwright Lakhmi Chand, known as the Shakespeare of Haryana. This will be a landmark in the history of Haryanvi cinema,” Yashpal explains, brimming with confidence.

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