Barry has also acted in movies like Tamaas and Gandhi.
Barry joined the National School of Drama as the faculty and later on became the founder-director of NSD’s Theatre in Education Company.
Barry John isn’t just a renowned name in Indian cinema, he stands as an influential pillar that has put countless artists into some of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema. The theatre actor and director discovered his calling in Delhi during the 1970s, where he left an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape. Joining the ranks of Delhi’s oldest theatre group, Yatrik, Barry soon ventured to establish the Theatre Action Group (TAG) in 1973.
Under his guidance, TAG embarked on an artistic exploration that spanned diverse forms until 1977. His journey continued as he took on the role of a faculty member at the National School of Drama (NSD) and eventually became the founder-director of NSD’s Theatre in Education Company.
Barry’s impact extends beyond the stage, as he has nurtured and mentored numerous Bollywood luminaries, including Frieda Pinto, Richa Chadha, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Manoj Bajpayee.
While Shah Rukh Khan’s acting journey was undoubtedly shaped by Barry, the acting guru humbly denied taking credit for creating a superstar. During a session at the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai in 2017, Barry emphasized that he didn’t fashion Shah Rukh Khan into the phenomenon he is today and acknowledged the actor’s trajectory beyond his mentorship.
In an interview, Barry stated, “It’s a fact. We (Shah Rukh Khan and I) came together, we worked in theatre together for a while. It was mostly enjoyable and beneficial to both of us. But then he moved on, he is on another planet now. I don’t have any communication with him.”
Barry’s impact transcends the stage, demonstrating a discipline that has left an indelible impression on his students. Manoj Bajpayee, speaking highly of Barry, recounted his days as a student in Barry John’s class, where the theatre director’s actions spoke louder than words. Barry would start sweeping the floor, and all the students would join in, drawn by the example he set. “This is the lesson I have learned. He never told us to sweep the floor, he used to do it himself and set an example for the rest of us. That’s the kind of person I am,” Manoj Bajpayee shared.
Beyond his theatrical contributions, Barry John has also graced the silver screen with his acting prowess. His filmography includes notable works such as Gandhi, Miss Beatty’s Children, Tamas, Massey Sahib, Raj Se Swaraj, Chittagong, Corbett of Kumaon, and Himalaya Darshan.
