I nearly left NSD due to language barrier: Govind Namdev

Veteran actor Govind Namdev recently opened up about his struggles at the National School of Drama (NSD), revealing that he almost quit due to a language barrier.

He recalled, “Initially, everything seemed fine when I joined NSD. But soon, I started struggling with my studies and skipping classes because I could not understand the lessons. The faculty taught in English, and I was more comfortable with Hindi.”

He continued, “Within a few months, I felt like I was in the wrong place. I wasn’t learning what I wanted, and my classmates and teachers took me lightly because of my way of speaking. I was close to leaving the institute to take up a small job while still pursuing my graduation from another institution.”

However, a turning point came when Ebrahim Alkazi, then director of NSD, noticed his struggles. “The day before I planned to leave, Alkazi Sahab called me. He asked why I was skipping classes and showing no interest. I broke down in front of him and shared my problem.” Alkazi then called the faculty and directed them to teach in both English and Hindi, making it easier for all students to understand.

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“Alkazi Sahab also advised me to focus on subjects where language wasn’t a barrier. After that, I started excelling and eventually topped my subjects,” Govind recalled.

The 70-year-old actor spoke about Alkazi’s dedication to NSD’s success, noting his vision for bringing in the best faculty. “He was determined to ensure that the teachers were highly knowledgeable so that students could learn the best from them. He handpicked the faculty,” he said.

Govind, who spent two decades in Delhi, considers the city a vital step in his career. “I lived in Delhi from 1970 to 1990, and it was crucial to my growth as an actor. I graduated from NSD in 1978,” he said.

He said that his outspoken nature and passion for activism and sports led him to NSD. “Since my school days, I was involved in activism and sports, which ultimately drew me to theatre. I decided to join NSD and crack the entrance exams.”

Govind credits NSD and its Repertory company for shaping his career.

“Coming from a village, I didn’t even know how to speak properly. NSD transformed my life. I spent 11 years in the Repertory company, working with world-class directors, and it gave me the skills to succeed in the industry. After rigorous training, I felt confident enough to move to Mumbai and pursue a career in films.”

Reflecting on the current state of theatre, he remarked, “Today’s theatre artists often lack maturity. Some believe that simply delivering lines makes them perfect for film roles, but that’s not true. It’s the work and experience in the industry that matter.”

Govind also expressed his concern over how theatre’s importance has diminished in today’s generation, stating that, in the past, actors relied on theatre to showcase their talent and secure film roles.

He also talked about his diverse roles in films, noting, “I don’t just play policemen. I’ve portrayed villains and other characters, always choosing roles that have a strong presence in the story.”

One of his most significant disappointments was having his scenes cut from the 1991 film Saudagar, directed by Subhash Ghai. “I had a key role in the film. It began and ended with my character. Subhash Ghai would praise my work during shooting, but when the film’s length needed trimming as it had become a four-hour film, my scenes were removed. I was playing a terrorist teacher, and my character was significant to the plot. It was a huge break that never materialised the way I had hoped,” said Govind, who has worked in films like Aankhen, Sarfarosh, Pukar, Lajja, Satya, Garv, Wanted, Sam Bahadur, and others.

He added, “I still cannot believe my scenes were cut. I had told everyone that I was working with Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar. What hurt most was that Subhash Ghai never reached out to console me after this loss. I never called him again.”

Despite this setback, Govind is grateful for the photo album he created during his NSD days, which helped him land his first film role. “When I was trying to find work in films, I contacted producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who was working on Shola Aur Shabnam (1992). I showed him my photo album, and he was impressed by the plays I had done. That album helped me secure my first role as a corrupt cop.”

Govind concluded, “That photo album played a crucial role in my career, helping me land more roles in the industry.”