BySiddhi Jain

'Crime Patrol' anchor and theare actor Annup Sonii, who started his acting career with Delhi's National School of Drama as a theatre student, finds the Mandi House area very culturally rich.

"In my family, there's no one related to this industry or films or theatre. For me, everything was new and exciting. The whole atmosphere of Mandi House is very culturally rich with music, literature, art and theatre. 

"In my student days, we performed at National School of Drama (NSD) auditorium in first and second year, then Shri Ram Centre or Kamani Auditorium in third year. Now, in professional theatre, people are buying tickets for you and that's really exciting for an actor," Annup told IANS over telephone.

He also credited NSD, which he joined about 25 years back, as having taught him discipline and basics of acting.

"I personally feel theatre is a good foundation to start with; it prepares you so extensively to handle any character. Having said that, it's not that if you're not grounded in theatre, you cannot be a good actor."

The Mumbai-based artiste has dabbled into multiple mediums, and feels passionately about the "craft of acting".

He will also be seen acting alongside Sanjay Dutt in the upcoming Hindi remake of Telugu film 'Prasthanam'.