Aanjjan Srivastav is a noted Indian film actor who has portrayed diverse characters in films, garnering extensive acclamations. Apart from films he has also ventured into Indian television and theatres and is associated with Indian People`s Theatre Association (IPTA) in Mumbai. He has also served as the Vice-President of the organization for many years. He is best recognized for his character roles in Hindi and Marathi films including Mississippi Masala, Salaam Bombay! and others. He marked his presence in the Indian television through his portrayal of a quintessential common man in the television show Wagle Ki Duniya. He appeared in several plays, many of which became jubilee hits.

Early Life of Aanjjan Srivastav
Aanjjan Srivastav was born on June 2, 1948 in Kolkata, West Bengal. His family hailed from Uttar Pradesh and his father was a banker with Allahabad Bank. Aanjjan completed his B.Com and LLB from Calcutta University. During his days in university he began partaking in local Bengali and Hindi theatre groups. He also performed in plays for All India Radio. At the same time he also portrayed a small role in the movie Chameli Mem Shaeb. Subsequently he joined famous groups of the city titled Adakar, Sangeet Kala Mandir and Kala Bhavan. He also acted in some Bengali films back then.

Career of Aanjjan Srivastav
Following the wishes of his father Aanjjan Srivastav joined Allahabad Bank but simultaneously also kept acting in plays. In 1976, his sister died after which his father allowed him to move to Bombay (now Mumbai) for following his dreams in the world of acting. In Mumbai he joined Indian People`s Theatre Association (IPTA) and began working in a number of productions. Since then, he remained associated with the institute throughout his career and also served as its General Secretary for a while, subsequently becoming its Vice-President. He also worked with Prithvi Theatre. Around the year 1976, Aanjjan also began his career with Bengali theatre, acting in plays like Anwar, Kayakalp and Neel Darpan.

Working in theatres paved his way to the film industry and got him roles in flicks like J. P. Dutta`s Ghulami, Hrishikesh Mukherjee`s comedy classic, Golmaal, Kundan Shah`s Saza-E-Maut etc. Later he also explored television with the serial Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. In the following years he acted in many other acclaimed shows like Katha Sagar, Nukkad, Tamas by Govind Nihalani and Manoranjan. In 1987, he bagged the lead role in the comedy series, Wagle Ki Duniya which was adapted from the R. K. Laxman`s Common Man and was directed by Kundan Shah. His depiction of the troubles and ways of life of a common man belonging to a middle class family got him huge appreciation and fame. He also appeared in Discovery of India, an epic series by Shyam Benegal.

Aanjjan Srivastav is a versatile actor and has appeared in sceptical bureaucratic roles, conventional narrow minded father characters, common-middle-class man roles and many others. He has acted in more than 127 Hindi flicks including Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Chak De! India, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, No Entry etc and has been credited as an excellent portrayer of diverse characters. Some of the acclaimed plays of Aanjjan Srivastav include Shatranj Ke Mohre, Moteram Ka Satyagrah, Kashmakash and others. Many of his plays have marked strong impacts and have run for a number of years. Throughout his acting career, he also served as a bank employee and in the year 2001 retired from the latter.

Personal Life of Aanjjan Srivastav
Aanjjan Srivastav is married and has a twin, a son and a daughter, and a daughter who is younger to the twin. His elder daughter is active as a theatre actor and member with IPTA Mumbai, apart from being a school teacher. His son has worked in several advertisements but is not much passionate about theatres. His younger daughter is into media education.

Selected Filmography of Aanjjan Srivastav