Renowned theatre personality and acting coach Shri Barry Godfray John has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri for his monumental contributions to the field of Art, particularly Indian theatre and performance training.
Originally from Coventry, England, Barry John moved to India in the late 1960s and made Delhi his artistic home. Over the decades, he emerged as one of the most influential figures in Indian theatre. He founded the iconic Theatre Action Group (TAG) in 1973, mentoring countless actors and directors.
He also taught at the National School of Drama and later founded the Barry John Acting Studio, which went on to produce some of Bollywood’s biggest stars — including Shah Rukh Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, and Varun Dhawan.
Reacting to the honour, veteran actor Manoj Bajpayee said:
“A moment of immense pride and gratitude. Barry John is my guru, the person who helped me discover the craft and the courage to follow it.”
Throughout his career, Barry John emphasized creativity, discipline, and self-discovery in acting. His training methods have transformed Indian cinema’s performance standards and opened global paths for Indian actors.
With the Padma Shri, the Government of India recognises Barry John not just as a director and mentor, but as a true architect of India’s modern performing arts scene — a teacher whose influence will resonate across generations.
