Mushtaq Kak – Acclaimed theatre artist and seasonal Bollywood actor

Mushtaq Kak is an Indian actor and play director, best known for playing character roles on big and small screen. He is also a stage actor. He hails from Jammu & Kashmir. He serves as the artistic director at Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi, and has directed many award winning plays like Andha Yug, Malika, and Pratibimb in best director category. His plays – Maha Brahmin and Alladad have received best play awards in the 1990s. As a Bollywood actor, he played brief roles in Romeo Akbar Walter, Sikandar and also Hollywood movie, Amal. He also played antagonist in Bollywood flick, Hijack.

Mushtaq Kak was born in 1961 in Jammu and Kashmir. He is a prominent figure in Indian theatre since 1990s, who has been associated with many hit and award winning plays. He has directed around 97 plays out of which, 32 of them were done for Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts. He also runs the ‘Amateur Theatre group’ – in Kashmir. He earned fame as an established stage actor and play director. He is only a seasonal actor in Bollywood, and has dedicated most of his time towards the world of theatre.

Mushtaq Kak – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He did the role of Santa Claus when he was studying at Alexander Memorial School, Srinagar. It was his first acting experience.

2. He has been honoured with Mahindra & Mahindra Excellence Award in 2010.

3. He trained child artistes for Bollywood films – “Sikandar”, “Black” and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”.

4. He staged his first play – Aadhi raat ke baad, which was a flop. But it was a learning experience to him. Deviani – a play based on Hindu mythology gave him the first success. “Andorra” is one of his most successful plays.

5. He initially wanted to become an actor. Due to lack of opportunities, he took direction, as pursued by friends. Still acting is his first love.

6. He played a small role of a journalist in “Rang De Basanti”. It was his first big screen role. However the role was edited off in the final cut, though he got the payment.

7. As an actor, he feels acting on stage is more challenging, comparing with big and small screen, where focus is more on facial expressions than body language.

8. He is associated with J&K Academy for Art Culture and Languages in the role of promotion of theatre.

9. He has directed many plays in Dogri dialect, his mother’s mother tongue.