TV actor Sanjay Batra recalls his old days

TV actor Sanjay Batra, who was in the city recently, got talking to us about the talented janta of Chhattisgarh and reminisced about his struggling days in Raipur.
I began my career with Raipur Post college, I joined Akashvani in Raipur, but I was yearning to earn a livelihood through my passion – theatre. There were not many opportunities for me here.I used to watch people working in IPTA(Indian People’s Theatre Association), jab log din mein naukri karte thay aur sham ko apne passion ke liye theatre. I thought of going to a place where I could earn a living by doing both. I tried Bhopal, but that didn’t work. Finally, I moved to Delhi where Ila Arun was staging her play, Jayaz Najayaz, and hired me as a supporting actor. However, it took seven-eight years for me to finally get the recognition I always wanted.
I love gorging on vadas here I was born and brought up in Raipur. I did MA from Durga College here and then joined IPTA. Whatever theatre basics I have learnt, I owe it to the theatre personalities of Raipur. I love gorging on vadas in Baijnath Para and samosas here are so delicious that you just can’t afford to miss them. Chhattisgarh is my janmabhoomi and karmabhoomi. I miss my buddies here. Whenever I get the time, I make it a point to hang out with them. I also love exploring my beautiful city riding around on a cycle. Chhattisgarh is brimming with talent. People from this state have earned laurels in the field of acting, writing and singing.