Anil Rastogi


Anil Rastogi is an Indian theatre, television and film actor. He is known for his roles in Udaan, Ishaqzaade and Na Bole Tum Naa Maine Kuch Kaha.
He has over 1000 theatre performances and was a former scientist of the Central [Drug Research Institute], Lucknow.

Early life

He was born in Lucknow and completed his schooling from the city, after which he attended Lucknow University for graduate and post-graduate studies. He joined CDRI in 1962 as Junior Research Fellow and retired from the Institute as Head of Biochemistry and Directors Grade Scientist in 2003. His doctorate degree is in microbiology.
He is Fellow of National Academy of Sciences of India. He started working in theatre in 1962 and has done more than 1000 shows of 98 plays in Hindi all over the country. He has been secretary/ general secretary of one of the oldest amateur theatre group of India Darpan for more than 46 years.
In 2026, Anil Rastogi was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, for his contribution to theatre, cinema and cultural arts.

Career

Anil Rastogi did several plays across the nation. He worked with eminent theatre directors like late Rajeshwar Bachchan, late Ravi Baswani, Late Raj Bisaria, late BV Karanth, late Bansi Kaul, Ajay Kartik, late Urmil Km Thapliyal, late Dina Nath, Ranjit Kapoor, Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha and others. His main works in theatre, Television and Films are as follows:

Plays

  • Panchhi Jaa, Panchhi Aa as Pawan
  • Rustam Sohrab as Rustam
  • Taj Mahal Ka Tender as Shah Jahan
  • Yehoodi Ki Ladki as Yehoodi
  • A View From the Bridge as Eddi
  • Fando and Lis as Fando
  • Vibhaas as Protagonist Doctor
  • Kanya Daan as father
  • Bare Foot in Athens as Lycon
  • Harischannar Ki Ladai as Commissioner
  • Kamla as journalist friend
  • Tum as Father of Protagonist
  • Sakharam Binder as Sakharam
  • Balram Ki Tirtha Yatra as Balram
  • Mitra As Protagonist
  • Lighter on The Lips as Mafia Don
  • "Akhiri Vasant" as Protagonist
  • "Swaha" as Protagonist and many others
  • Katha Shivpal Ganj Ki as Vaid Ji

Television

OTTs
  • Aashram Webseries as Sunder Lal
  • Shiksha Mandal Webseries as Umesh Mahajan
  • " Bindia " as Judge
  • " Taali " as judge
  • " Rohtak Sisters " as father of Protagonist
  • " Viruddha " as Politician
  • " Grahan " as Important witness of '84 riots
  • Raktanchal 2 " as politician uncle of protagonist
  • " The Suitable Boy' as Jeweller

Films

;TV Commercials
  • KBC Promo Yahan Paise Hi Nahin Dil Bhi Jeete Jate Hain
  • Kala Hit Kone men Jhadu ke itne paise
  • Hero Motor Bike
  • Symphoni Fan
  • Gold Medal Electricals
  • Finolex Pipes
  • Shekhar Multi Speciality Hospital
  • Ikon Steel

Main Awards (National and State Awards)

Other Awards

  • Pataliputra Life Time Achievement Award of Prangan Patna
  • " Canmass Life Time Achievement Award Paradeep
  • " Life Time Achievement Award of Society of Laryngologists of India
  • " Justice SC Verma Memorial Award 2024 by Kalaakaar Association
  • " Late Raju Srivastava Memorial Award by Awadhi Vikaas Sansthaan
  • " Life Time Achievement Award for Film Acting by Rashtriy Manav Adhikaar Suraksha Parishad
  • " Zindagi Award by News Time Nation
  • " Golden Personality of India Award by Sarthak welfare Society
  • " Bharat Gaurav Samman " by World Human Rights Council
  • " Bharatmuni Rang Bharty Samman " by Rang Bharty
' " Award e Tiranga Samman " by Alliance and Social Cultural Society
  • " Udaan Lata Mangeshkar Samman " by Udaan Nritya Samiti and several others