Life cut short: Theatre director and actor Saurabh Gharipurikar passes away in Hyderabad

Saurabh Gharipurikar in the play ‘Miya Biwi’
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

His passing is particularly heart-breaking, as he was gearing up to stage Manav Kaul’s monologue, Shakkar Ke Paanch Daane on February 22, marking the play’s 15th anniversary.

Saurabh’s theatre group, Udaan — meaning ‘flight’ in Hindi — embodies his artistic vision. An actor, director, musician, workshop facilitator, and acting trainer, he was the founder of Udaan Academy of Arts and Education Theatre and was deeply passionate about Hindi and Marathi theatre. His two-decade-long career made him an integral part of Hyderabad’s theatre scene, where he nurtured emerging talent and contributed to the art form.

A still from ‘Saiyan Bhaye Kotwal’
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“This is shocking — he was a committed theatre person,” says Vinay Varma, founder of Sutradhar, one of Hyderabad’s established theatre groups. Saurabh had collaborated with Vinay on plays such as Natasamrat and Postmortem (an adaptation of a Marathi play). Sutradhar had also provided him with space in Himayat Nagar to conduct workshops.

Saurabh’s theatrical journey began at 13, when he attended his first theatre workshop. He trained under renowned theatre personalities, including the late professor Bhaskar Shewalkar and Satyabrata Rout. His passion for the craft led him to attend a regional theatre workshop conducted by the National School of Drama (NSD) in Hyderabad and another at the Progressive Dramatic Association in Pune.

By profession, Saurabh was a Hindi teacher, but he seamlessly blended his teaching and theatre skills to establish Udaan Arts and Education in 2008. This initiative reflected his belief in using theatre as a powerful educational tool, nurturing young talent and fostering a love for performance.

The ‘Saiyan Bhaye Kotwal’ team at Bikaner Theatre festival; his wife Amruta and daughter on his left
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

As an actor, Saurabh delivered notable performances in over 55 productions, with standout roles in Satya Harischandra, Mother Courage and Her Children, and Evam Indrajeet. His versatility on stage and command over diverse characters made him a respected name in Hyderabad’s theatre circuit.

Beyond acting, Saurabh was an accomplished director, having helmed more than 50 plays.

During rehearsals… Saurabh Gharipurikar (left, standing) and Suresh Kumar third from left
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

One of Saurabh’s closest companions and supporters was veteran theatre actor Suresh Kumar, whose foray into theatre was thanks to Saurabh, who directed him in the Marathi play Waat Paaho Toh Premaachi in 2007. The duo collaborated on numerous Hindi and Marathi plays, but the one closest to Suresh’s heart is Sayyan Bayyan Kotwal, which remains one of Saurabh’s most successful directorial ventures. “He was a fantastic director who knew exactly how to bring out the best in his artistes,” says Suresh.

Listening to his wife Amruta sing for a play
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Saurabh moved to Mumbai in 2015 to pursue his dreams in the entertainment industry. He acted in a few Marathi serials, including the popular Swarjyarakshak Sambhaji. However, this period proved to be a challenging phase, as he suffered a health issue that forced him to return to Hyderabad. He is survived by his parents, wife, and two children — a 12-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter.