Mumbai, July 2: Renowned filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia has beautifully brought stories to life on screen. Throughout his career, many artists have come and gone, but some relationships have remained particularly special. Among these is the bond with Irrfan Khan, which began during their days at the National School of Drama (NSD) and later blossomed into memorable films in Indian cinema. In interviews, Dhulia often remarked that “Irrfan does not act; he lives the character.”
Tigmanshu Dhulia was born on July 3, 1967, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, into an educated family. His father, K.C. Dhulia, was a lawyer who later became a judge, while his mother, Sumitra Dhulia, was a professor of Sanskrit. Despite the academic atmosphere at home, Tigmanshu was drawn to stories, theatre, and acting from a young age. He completed his early education in Allahabad, later studying in Dehradun before returning to finish his education in Allahabad.
During his studies, his interest in theatre grew, and he began participating in college plays, gradually understanding the world of acting. He then enrolled at the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi, where he completed his master’s in theatre in 1989. It was during this time that he met Irrfan Khan. Both received acting training in the same environment, closely witnessing struggles and deeply understanding the art.
After NSD, Tigmanshu started his career in the film industry as a casting director, working on “Bandit Queen” in 1990. He later took on roles as an assistant director, writer, and worked on television projects, while Irrfan Khan was also advancing his career through television and small roles.
Tigmanshu’s big break came in 2003 when he directed the film “Hasil,” which focused on college politics and youth struggles. He cast Irrfan Khan in this film, which became a cult classic.
In interviews, Tigmanshu often highlighted Irrfan’s unique authenticity, stating that he did not act but transformed into his characters. He prioritized working with Irrfan in several projects, including “Paan Singh Tomar,” where Irrfan portrayed the life of an athlete, earning him the National Film Award in 2012.
Following this, Tigmanshu directed films like “Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster,” “Bullet Raja,” and “Milan Talkies.” He also strengthened his acting identity by playing Ramadhir Singh in “Gangs of Wasseypur,” with his dialogue “Beta, tumse na ho payega” becoming immensely popular.
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