Interviews
BeyondBooks: How Saharsh Bharadwaj is balancing engineering with love for threatre
An alumnus of Apeejay School, Noida recalls his iconic school performances, the teachers who spotted his talent, and how he keeps the drama alive in college.
At Apeejay School, Noida, Saharsh Bharadwaj wasn’t just another student — he was ‘Betal’- the ever charismatic character from Indian folklore. Whether delivering a fiery monologue as Bhagat Singh, commanding the street in a Nukkad Natak, or crooking his voice into ghostly perfection for Vikram-Betal, Saharsh owned the stage in each and every performance. Now a metallurgical engineering student at IIT Varanasi, he hasn’t left the spotlight behind. He shares his journey from discovering his talent to blending it with a technical career. Read edited excerpts
Saharsh, you’re an Apeejay Noida alumnus from the batch of 2025. What are you pursuing now?
I’m doing metallurgical engineering at IIT Varanasi. I cleared JEE Advanced and chose metallurgy because it’s a core branch — nothing is possible without metals. It has huge industrial scope and is the essence of engineering.
How did your journey in Hindi dramatics begin?
Honestly, I didn’t know I could act until Class 10, when my Hindi teacher, Pallavi Kapri ma’am, gave me a role in a skit. She liked my performance so much she recorded it. That was the start. Soon after, Ruby ma’am spotted me in a Nukkad Natak on pollution and gave me a powerful closing monologue. That really boosted my confidence.
Which performances stand out for you from school?
Playing Bhagat Singh in a short presentation for my class was memorable. But my favourite was definitely Betal in the annual day play “Vikram-Betal” in Class 11. Mimicking that eerie voice and body language was challenging, but I nailed it after studying Ramanand Sagar’s version. The whole school recognised me as “Betal Bhaiya” after that!
What kind of theatre do you enjoy most?
Character impersonation. I love diving deep into a persona — voice, expressions, body language — and becoming someone else completely. Betal was the perfect example of that.
How did your teachers influence your growth as an actor?
Massively. Pallavi ma’am and Ruby ma’am both brought out this hidden talent in me. Without them, I might never have tried acting. Apeejay Noida gave me the stage, the audience, and the confidence to perform.
Are you still involved in dramatics at IIT?
Yes! I’m part of my college’s dramatics society, Masquerades. We do everything from stage plays to Nukkad Nataks for social awareness. If I can use my acting to make a difference, I won’t miss that chance.
Do you see acting becoming your career?
Right now, my focus is on my technical career. But life is unpredictable. I’ll always keep theatre in my life, whether as a hobby, a social tool, or maybe — who knows — something bigger in the future.
