Actor Anshuman Jha's mother wanted him to study in DU's St Stephen's College

“My mother wanted me to study at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi University,” says actor Anshuman Jha, who, however, knew that he had to shift base to Mumbai, for acting was his calling.

“I always wanted to act. I did my schooling from Delhi, and after I finished my 12th grade, I was on the train the same day. I told my mother that I wanted to shift base to Mumbai because I wanted to act. The condition was to score high enough for Xavier’s College,” says Anshuman, who visited Delhi recently.

He adds how he, at one point, had to choose between acting and cricket. “I used to play cricket for Delhi’s U-16 team and was a probable for U-19 as well. This one time, the cricket team was going to Gwalior for a tournament and my theatre team was going to Kashmir for a theatre festival. That was the day when I had to choose between the two and decide what my life will be about. Cricket is my biggest stress buster but I went ahead and performed in Kashmir,” says Anshuman, adding that his passion took him to Mumbai, but he still pines for Delhi.

“I would earlier visit Delhi thrice a year, but because of the musical I did for a Gurgoan-based group, I got a chance to visit Delhi two-three times a month. Although Mumbai has adopted me (laughs), it’s always fun to be in Delhi as all my close friends, everything is here. Every time I’m back, I eat at Rajinder Da Dhaba. And there is a place near NCERT building where you get amazing paranthas, it’s been a childhood hit.”

Anshuman will soon be in Delhi-NCR again to shoot a film. “There is an interesting rom-com film that has come my way, which I’d be shooting in Delhi-Gurgaon midyear. After every film, I have come to Gurgaon or Delhi for theatre. Theatre centres me. I am looking for something to do in the West. I have met a couple of directors of Broadway and am going to the US, this year-end to pursue that, but I am not shifting base,” he concludes.

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