Saurabh Shukla is a name synonymous with versatility in Indian cinema. Known for his impactful performances, he has carved a niche for himself as an actor, screenwriter, and director. From his humble beginnings to becoming a celebrated figure in Bollywood, Shukla’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
This blog explores his life, career, and achievements, offering readers a comprehensive look at the man behind iconic roles like Kallu Mama in Satya and Justice Tripathi in Jolly LLB.
Early Life and Upbringing
Saurabh Shukla was born on March 5, 1963, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. His family moved to Delhi when he was just two years old. Shukla’s parents were deeply rooted in music; his father, Shatrughan Shukla, was a vocalist from the Agra Gharana, while his mother, Jogamaya Shukla, was India’s first female tabla player.
Growing up in Delhi, Shukla developed a love for films and storytelling. His parents encouraged him and his elder brother to watch at least four films a week, fostering his passion for cinema. He completed his graduation from Khalsa College, Delhi, and began his journey in theatre in 1984. By 1991, he joined the National School of Drama’s Repertoire Company, where he honed his acting skills.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Saurabh Shukla |
| Nickname | Shukla |
| Alternative Name(s) | Saurab Shukla |
| Date of Birth | 5 March 1963 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 61 Years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Hometown | Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Current Address | Andheri West, Mumbai, India |
| Education Qualification | Graduate (Khalsa College, Delhi) |
| Hobbies and Interests | Reading, Writing, Watching Films |
| Languages Known | Hindi, English |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile | Saurabh Shukla Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | IMDb Profile |
| Website | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Average |
| Body Measurements | 40-30-16 Inches |
| Height | 5’6″ (168 cm) |
| Weight | 181 lbs (82 kg) |
| Chest | 40 Inches |
| Waist | 30 Inches |
| Biceps | 16 Inches |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
| Hairstyle | Semi-Bald |
| Distinctive Features | N/A |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Saurabh Shukla is married to Barnali Ray Shukla, a writer-director and documentary filmmaker. His family has always been a source of inspiration. His elder brother, who lives in Botswana, is a commerce teacher and musician.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Barnali Ray Shukla |
| Father | Shatrughan Shukla |
| Mother | Jogamaya Shukla |
| Children | son |
| Siblings | One Elder Brother |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Barnali Ray Shukla |
| Significant Relationships | Barnali Ray Shukla |
Rise to Stardom
Shukla made his acting debut in 1994 with Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen, where he played the role of Kailash. His breakthrough came in 1998 with Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya. He not only acted in the film but also co-wrote its screenplay, earning the Star Screen Award for Best Screenplay.
Some of his notable films include:
- Nayak: The Real Hero (2001)
- Barfi! (2012)
- PK (2014)
- Jolly LLB (2013)
Saurabh Shukla – Selfie
Saurabh Shukla – Debut film – Bandit Queen
Saurabh Shukla – Successful Film – Satya
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Saurabh Shukla’s career spans over three decades, during which he has delivered memorable performances in both Bollywood and regional cinema. His role as Justice Tripathi in Jolly LLB earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014.
- National Film Award (2014) – Best Supporting Actor for Jolly LLB
- Screen Awards (2010, 2015) – Best Ensemble Cast
- Jagran Film Festival (2017) – Best Supporting Actor for Jolly LLB 2
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, Screenwriter, Director |
| Debut Film | Bandit Queen (1994) |
| Notable Roles | Kallu Mama (Satya), Judge Tripathi (Jolly LLB), Dr. Jagdish Chandra (PK) |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Drishyam 2 (2022), Raid (2018), Jolly LLB 2 (2017) |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular Television Series | Tehkikaat, Mulla Nasiruddin |
| Awards and Achievements | National Film Award (2014), Screen Awards (2015, 2010), Jagran Film Festival (2017) |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | N/A |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | N/A |
| Professional Associations | National School of Drama |
| Training and Education | Graduate (Khalsa College, Delhi) |
| Production Company | NSD Repertoire Company |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Satya, Jolly LLB, PK |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Satya, Barfi!, Jolly LLB |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $100,000 – $1M |
| Per Movie Charges | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | N/A |
| Business Ventures | Aditya Birla Capital Ltd |
| Investments | IIFL Capital Inc |
| Real Estate Holdings | Real Estate Specialist at Square Yards |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | House |
| Cars Collection | Audi Q2 |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | N/A |
| Favorite Actress | N/A |
| Favorite Film | Jolly LLB 2 |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Table Tennis |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Colour | Gray |
| Favorite Food | boil rice |
| Things s/he like | Reading, Writing, Watching Films |
| Things s/he dislike | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Saurabh Shukla
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Satya | 1998 | Kallu Mama |
| Jolly LLB | 2013 | Justice Tripathi |
| PK | 2014 | Tapasvi Maharaj |
| Barfi! | 2012 | Inspector Sudhanshu Dutta |
| Drishyam 2 | 2022 | Murad Ali |
Controversies – Saurabh Shukla
- Criticism of censorship in Indian cinema.
- Comments on Naseeruddin Shah’s political statements.
- Debate over OTT platforms overshadowing traditional cinema.
- Weight-related typecasting in early career.
- Views on the evolving nature of Indian theatre.
Interesting Facts – Saurabh Shukla
- His mother, Jogamaya Shukla, was India’s first female tabla player.
- He decided to become a filmmaker while in sixth grade.
- He played table tennis during his school days and still enjoys the sport.
- He began his career in theatre in 1984.
- He co-wrote the screenplay for Satya, a cult classic.
- His parents encouraged him to watch four films a week during childhood.
Saurabh Shukla’s journey from theatre to Bollywood is a testament to his talent and dedication. His ability to portray diverse characters with depth and authenticity has made him a beloved figure in Indian cinema.
Whether it is his iconic roles, award-winning performances, or contributions to screenwriting, Shukla continues to inspire aspiring actors and filmmakers.
