Lucknow: Sandeep Yadav is an actor who can currently be seen in a television programme ‘Doosri Maa’ where he plays the role of Bansal. He first appeared in a TV serial called ‘Ashram’ in the role of Bagga. His characters are being loved and appreciated since his first performance.

Who is Sandeep Yadav?

Sandeep is a resident of Khurdahi Bazar in Lucknow. His father, Haripal Yadav was a government servant. He has four siblings, three brothers and a sister. 

Sandeep completed his schooling from a local government school. He earned his master’s degree from Ram Manohar Lohia University Faizabad and a degree in journalism from Rajyashri Tandon Allahabad. During the pandemic, he earned a masters in theatre.

Passion for acting

According to Sandeep, he had a passion of acting since he was a kid. Due to his father’s transferable job, his education involved attending different schools. He was playful as a child and studied at a government school of his village up to class 5. He later moved to Nainital with his father and continued with his studies until class 9. 

When Sandeep was in class 7, he received an opportunity to play a role in Ramlila because of his excellent Hindi speaking skills and his ability to recite the Ramayana. He played his role quite exceptionally and was awarded with the Best Actor Award. 

Sandeep spent the rest of his schooling years at Government Inter College Faizabad. However, he failed in his class 12th in the subjects Physics, Maths and Chemistry. His failure greatly disappointed his father and he decided to move to Lucknow. 

Struggle in Mumbai

After relocating to Lucknow, he enrolled in the Bharatendu Natya Academy and began participating in theatre workshops. During this time, he stayed with Habib and Tanveer ji. Meanwhile, he also took up jobs as a reporter in various media organizations. After a few years, he realized that he was destined to do something bigger. 

In 2009, he came to Mumbai. He auditioned for various minor roles in multiple TV shows. He played the role of a vegetable seller in the popular TV serial ‘Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai’ and also worked in ‘CID’. Sandeep did not feel satisfied with the prospects of his roles. Struggling with the lack of work, he fell into depression. He even sold his household items for a living. Lacking financial support and failing to make connections in the industry, he decide to move back to Lucknow. 

Sandeep even thought about taking up farming instead of continuing his career in the television industry. He was incredibly disheartened to see his dream crumbling away.

A turning point

In 2019, when Sandeep had given up acting, an Indian director, Nikhil Advani was in the search of a villain for his film ‘Batla House’. Sandeep gave his last shot at these auditions. Nikhil was impressed by Sandeep’s performance and signed him for the role of the villain in his movie. 

Sandeep’s acting skills were admired in the movie following which he was offered several roles. Sandeep’s hopes were reignited. He played roles in several movies and web series like ‘Gulabo Sitabo,’ ‘Thappad,’ ‘Ashram 3,’ and ‘Madam Chief Minister'.

Presently, he is playing a comic-negative role of Bansal in the TV serial ‘Doosri Maa’.

Solitude in work

Sandeep shares that finally he has found satisfaction with his work. He reflects on the time when he struggled with minor roles and contemplated shoving his dreams aside to adopt farming. He believes that he has come a long way but still has a lot to do. Despite his many failures, he is satisfied with his present situation and wishes to work harder to receive more acting offers.