Dr. Anil Kumar Rastogi, an 83-year-old scientist and celebrated theatre artist, has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award by President Droupadi Murmu. The unique honor recognizes his extraordinary contributions to the arts, marking the culmination of a dual career that seamlessly blended rigorous scientific research with passionate artistic expression.
"The unique thing is that I am a scientist, yet I am being honoured in the field of arts," Rastogi told ANI after receiving the honor. He expressed great satisfaction and happiness at the recognition.
A Distinguished Dual Career
Born and raised in Lucknow, Dr. Rastogi built a distinguished career spanning over four decades at the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow. He eventually retired as the Head of the Biochemistry Department and a Director-grade scientist. Simultaneously, he cultivated an equally impressive career in theatre, becoming one of India's most accomplished stage personalities.
His journey into theatre began in 1961 with a role in the play Noor Jahan. "After that play, I got addicted to theatre," Rastogi recalled. Just a year later, in 1962, he joined CDRI as a Junior Research Fellow, embarking on a path where most would choose one, but he chose both science and art.
Science and Art: A Harmonious Blend
Dr. Rastogi believes his two passions never conflicted but rather strengthened each other. "Discipline of science goes into theatre, while the expression of theatre is present in science," he stated, reflecting on how his scientific precision informed his artistic endeavors, and his artistic expression brought creativity to his research.
While actively engaged in scientific work, he performed in dozens of plays across the country. After retiring from CDRI in 2003, he dedicated even more time to his first love, the stage. His extensive body of work now includes nearly 100 plays and over 1,000 stage performances, solidifying his reputation as one of the nation's most prolific theatre actors.
Prioritizing the Stage
Despite appearing in over 70 films and numerous television shows, including notable roles in films like Ishaqzaade, Raid, and Batla House, and web series such as Aashram, theatre always remained Dr. Rastogi's primary focus. He often turned down film assignments to return to the stage, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to live performance.
"As I had no ambition, I never failed," he shared during a felicitation event earlier this year. He attributes much of his success to the steadfast support of his family, particularly his wife, Sudha, who continues to assist him with dialogue rehearsals and performance preparations.