For actor Anup Soni, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is non-existent as long as he has the stage. While performing Atul Satya Kaushik’s thriller Ballygunge 1990 at the Bhartendu Natya Academy’s 50th jubilee in Lucknow, Soni reflected on his deep-rooted connection to theatre and his hopes for a professional reunion with his wife, actor-director Juhi Babbar.
A Long-Awaited Professional Reunion
It has been eight years since the couple shared the stage in Nadira Babbar’s Begum Jaan. While fans are eager to see them collaborate again, Soni explains that their hiatus is a conscious parenting choice.
“Our son is still young, so we’ve been balancing our schedules so that one of us is always home while the other travels,” Soni shared. “But we are definitely looking forward to working together again soon.”
While Juhi is currently focused on two monologues she wrote and directed, Anup remains busy with his own theatrical hits, including the comedy My Wife’s Eighth Vachan. He is also in talks with Kaushik for a new project in a different genre later this year.
Navigating Screens and Stages
Despite his association with long-running television hits like Crime Patrol, Soni is embracing the diversity of the modern acting landscape. His upcoming slate includes:
OTT Series: Talaash and Hardik Mehta’s Eikhattey.
Film: Vvan, directed by Deepak Mishra (Panchayat), featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia.
Soni credits theatre (rangmanch) for giving him the patience to wait for the right roles. “Actors can afford to wait for good film projects by keeping themselves busy in other avenues,” he noted.
The Challenge of the Lucknow Audience
Returning to Lucknow—a city he considers “home ground” for his acting journey—brought a unique set of nerves. Performing for the BNA jubilee meant acting in front of industry veterans with decades of experience.
“It is both exciting and challenging to satisfy an audience that is so well-versed in the craft,” Soni admitted. “But the process remains the same: staying honest with the audience.”
