The spirit of the National School of Drama (NSD) came alive when Sanjay Mishra, Neena Gupta, and Kumud Mishra returned to promote ‘Vadh 2’, leading to a deeply moving tribute to Irrfan Khan by Sanjay. Known for stealing scenes with his raw intensity, Sanjay’s vulnerability shone through as he recalled his mentors.
‘Formal classes taught basics, but seniors like Irrfan Bhai provided the real depth,’ Sanjay mused during the visit. All three are NSD alumni, making the occasion a nostalgic pilgrimage.
Focusing on Irrfan, he said, ‘His genius was in the natural flow—watching him, you’d think, ‘Is this acting or just being?’ That caliber was mesmerizing, a silent tutorial in excellence.’ Sanjay’s admiration extended to Veerendra Saxena, Ankur Ji, Robin Das, and Anup Da, whose guidance molded him.
This heartfelt moment amplified excitement for ‘Vadh 2’, a Luv Films production by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg, directed and penned by Jaspal Singh Sandhu. Sanjay plays jail guard Shambhunath, clashing worlds with Neena Gupta’s prisoner Manju Singh amid a convict’s inexplicable disappearance.
The trailer’s intrigue, boosted by the film’s gala screening at the 56th IFFI 2025, positions it as a must-watch. Releasing February 6, ‘Vadh 2’ exemplifies Sanjay’s gift for impactful storytelling, echoing the profound influences from his NSD era that Irrfan embodied.