Manish Gandhi

Indian theatre director and actor

Manish Gandhi

Born|

Manish Gandhi

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India

Nationality| Indian
Occupation| Stage director
Years active| 2006–present

Manish Gandhi is an Indian theatre director and stage, film and TV actor. In 2006, he worked with the Government of Chandigarh to create a new theatre education programme for children in government schools.[1] In 2009, he was awarded a scholarship from the Inlaks Shivdasani, Foundation[2] after which he completed a stint at FTII, Pune.[3]

## Theatre

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In 2010, Gandhi played the lead role in Rizwaan, written and directed by Abhishek Majumdar.[4] In 2011, he directed (and acted in) Mike Bartlett's Cock for the youth theatre festival, Thespo, where it picked up two awards.[5] The Mumbai Theatre Guide said the play raises "important questions but isn't as provocative as the title would suggest" but "Gandhi displays some acuity as the director."[6] Noted critic Shanta Gokhale said the play "acquires a dimension that lies outside a mere love triangle."[7]

In 2012, he directed Vikram Phukan's Limbo, which opened at Prithvi Theatre[8] after a crowd-sourcing campaign.[9] The play has strong movement elements[10] and Mumbai Theatre Guide wrote, "it has the unbounded freewheeling feel of an exploration."[11] The Times of India said, "what makes it unique is the dance and music routine, which has lots of interesting movements."[12]

In 2013 he directed reality star Eijaz Khan in an adaptation of Anton Chekhov.[13]

In 2017 he appeared in Natives at the Southwark Playhouse in London.

## Films

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He acted in the film adaptation of Rizwaan by Deepti Khurana,[14] which has done the rounds of international film festivals and won special jury mention at the 5th ViBGYOR Film Festival of Kerala.[15]

Gandhi has shot for the film Chai Shai Biscuits,[16] a quirky comedy about arranged marriages.

In 2018, along with actress Sayani Gupta, Manish Gandhi was cast in a short film The Proposal.

In 2020, Angrezi Medium as Advait

### Television

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Year | Show | Role

|
|

2012 | Crime Patrol | Aditya
2012 | Haunted Nights | Anurag
2012 | I Luv My India | Aeroplane
2012 | Gumrah: End of Innocence | Harsh
2013 | Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2 | Addu (Fake)/Munna

## References

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1. ^ G. S. Paul. "Education Dept Initiative Teaching through theatre". Tribune News Service. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
2. ^ Vikrant Dhote. "Gallery - Manish Gandhi". Film Impressions. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
3. ^ Pallavi Kharade. "Step into the big league". DNA. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
4. ^ L Romal M Singh. "I owe a lot to Bangalore: Manish Gandhi". DNA. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
5. ^ Sravasti Datta. "The blue-eyed boy". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
6. ^ Vikram Phukan. "Cock Review". Mumbai Theatre Guide. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
7. ^ Shanta Gokhale. "Opposite Sex". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
8. ^ Rinky Kumar (23 December 2012). "A Journey Within". Mid-day. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
9. ^ Joanna Lobo. "Power People". DNA India. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
10. ^ Quasar Thakore Padamsee. "Exploring dance as a form of theatre". Asian Age. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
11. ^ Devina Dutt. "LIMBO Play review". Mumbai Theatre Guide. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
12. ^ Purvaja Sawant. "Theatre Review Limbo". Times of India. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
13. ^ Archana Mishra. "I am a commitment phobic actor". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
14. ^ L Romal M Singh. "I owe a lot to Bangalore: Manish Gandhi". DNA. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
15. ^ "FTII dazzles at Goa film festival". Times of India. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
16. ^ Pallavi Kharade. "Step into the big league". DNA. Retrieved 8 January 2015.

## External links

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* Manish Gandhi at IMDb
* Waring McKenna profile