Aanjjan Srivastav, a renowned figure in Bollywood and theater, enjoys widespread recognition for his portrayal of Srinivas Wagle in the iconic Indian television series, “Wagle Ki Duniya.” This post delves into his life, career, and achievements.

Wiki/Biography

Born on Wednesday, June 2nd, 1948, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, Aanjjan Srivastav is 75 years old (as of 2023). His zodiac sign is Gemini. He holds a B.Com and LLB from Calcutta University. Following graduation, he commenced his career at Allahabad Bank in Calcutta.

Family, Caste & Wife

While raised in Kolkata, his roots trace back to Uttar Pradesh. His father, Mrityunjai Srivastav, also worked at Allahabad Bank. His brother was a doctor, and sadly, his sister Reeta passed away at a young age due to a lung ailment. He is married to Madhu Srivastav, and they have three children: twin girls and boys, and another daughter. Their names are Abhishek Srivastav, Noopur, and Ranjana.

Career

Despite his father’s preference for a banking career, Aanjjan pursued his passion for acting alongside his banking job. His college years involved active participation in Bengali theatre productions and All India Radio plays. By 1967, he had starred in notable Bengali plays such as Neel Darpan, Kayakalp, and Anwar.

Following his sister’s death in 1976, his father gave him permission to pursue a career in the Indian film industry. He joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) in Mumbai and later worked with Prithvi Theatre. His film career blossomed, leading to roles in popular Bollywood films like Gol Maal (1979), Saza-E-Maut (1981), and Ghulami (1985).

Television brought him widespread recognition. He made his television debut in Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984) on DD National. His role in Wagle Ki Duniya (1988-1990), also on DD National, became one of his most memorable performances.

His talent extended internationally, with a well-received role in the Hollywood film Mississippi Masala (1991). His extensive filmography boasts over 125 Hindi films, including notable titles such as Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Bandhan (1998), Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat (2002), Firangi (2017), Sanju (2018), and PM Narendra Modi (2019).

Favourite Things

His preferences include:

• Actors: Om Prakash, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Balraj Sahni
• Directors: Kundan Shah, Indra Kumar, and Rajkumar Santoshi
• Actresses: Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Aanjjan Srivastav:

• He dedicated more than 10 years to Sangeet Kala Mandir.
• He served as the Vice-President of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA).
• He retired from Allahabad Bank in 2001.
• On the advice of numerologist Sunil Naik, he altered the spelling of his name from Anjan to Aanjjan, believing it positively impacted his career.
• In 2012, he reprised his iconic Wagle role in the DD Doordarshan series “Detective Wagle,” with Sulbha Arya portraying his wife.

Significant Roles and Projects