Ram Gopal Bajaj
Ram Gopal Bajaj is an Indian theatre director, academic, and a Hindi film actor. He has also been a faculty member and a former director of National School of Drama, New Delhi.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2003, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and Life Time Achievement META Award in 2024 for his contribution to theatre.
Biography
Bajaj graduated from the National School of Drama in 1965. He became a member of its faculty and eventually its Director. During his tenure as the head of NSD he started two theatre festivals, Bharat Rang Mahotsava and Jashn-e-Bachpan.Over the years, he directed numerous plays with the NSD Repertory Company, starting with Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se, Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak in 1974, Jai Shankar Prasad’s Skand Gupta in 1977, followed by Quaid-E-Hayaat in 1989. His other noted production was Ashadh Ka Ek Din by Mohan Rakesh in 1992. He also was the Chief of the NSD Repertory Company from 1988 to 1994. He translated Girish Karnad's Rakt Kalyan into Hindi, first directed by Ebrahim Alkazi for NSD and then by Arvind Gaur for Asmita Theater.
In 2017, he was honoured with Kalidas Samman by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Career
Bajaj has been connected with the film industry for over three decades, first as an assistant director in art films like Utsav and Godhuli, later appearing in character roles in films like, Masoom, Hip Hip Hurray, Mirch Masala, and Chandni. His most noted film roles have been in Parzania and as the Guru, in Jackie Chan starrer, The Myth, both in 2005. He starred as Dr. Amit Singh in Mango Dreams and in Jolly LLB 2 as Advocate Rizvi Sahab.He also starred as "Shankar Dayal Bajpai" and Vikramaditya Singh" in the popular StarPlus TV serials, Navya..Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal and Rishton Ka Chakravyuh respectively. His latest serial was Sufiyana Pyaar Mera that aired in 2019 on Star Bharat, where he played the character of Sayyed Shehriyat "Miajaan" Shah Ghazi.
He will be seen in LSD Pvt Ltd next TV show for zeetv
In July 2025, Bajaj appeared as “Nana ji” in the critically acclaimed Season 4 of the Amazon Prime Video series Panchayat. His ~10-minute cameo was widely praised for its incisive political commentary and impactful dialogue.
He is a member of the academic council of National School of Drama, New Delhi.
He has mentored actors such as Irrfan Khan, Raghubir Yadav, and Neena Gupta during his time at NSD.
Bajaj translated Girish Karnad’s Rakt Kalyan into Hindi; this version was directed by Ebrahim Alkazi at NSD and by Arvind Gaur at Asmita Theatre.