Meet Barry John Who, Sold Newspaper, London-Born Mentor To SRK, Manoj Bajpayee, Won Padma Shri 2025

Barry John might not be a popular name in households across India, but every aspiring actor and film buff knows about his significant legacy in the world of acting. From starting his life in a humble background to being a vital reason behind the emotionally-stirring performances of actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Rana Daggubati among others, Barry has shaped an entire generation of actors in Indian cinema. He prefers to keep a low profile behind-the-scenes, but recently came forward after being awarded the Padma Shri 2025, which has brought him under the spotlight. Here's everything you need to know about the renowned acting coach in India.

Barry John's humble beginnings from the UK to India

Barry John was born in London in 1944, and his journey from early life to present success is nothing less than a script for a Bollywood film. Born to a World War 2 veteran engineer, he didn't have it easy in his life. Taking into consideration the situation at his home, he began selling newspapers by the age of 12 and tended to his passion for acting by attending theatre in the evenings. After a couple of years, his father persuaded him to work in a factory. After completing his schooling,  he didn't get a chance to join an acting school and Barry joined Leeds University, where he trained to become a theatre teacher. However, by 1968, Barry moved to India, which started a new chapter in his life.

India proved to be the true workplace for the acting coach who was influenced by Indian philosophy, the Upanishads, Indian classical music, and more during the hippie era. Consequently, he took up the job as an English teacher in Bangalore at 22, but later ended up starting his acting group, Theatre Action Group. He was joined in the initiative by Siddharth Basu, Mira Nair, Pankaj Kapur, and more, who went on to become the finest talent in showbiz. But the most special part about TAG was that it served as a training ground for actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Lilette Dubey, and Divya Seth. Moreover, it was during his time in the group that SRK dated his wife, Gauri.

Barry John began his acting school after once being unable to join one

Barry John continued his strides in theatre training and collaborated with the National School Of Drama in 1977. After a decade of gaining experience, he founded Theatre in Education Company, which focused on including theatre into curriculum to shape new talent in the field. It extended to differently-abled actors, and finally, he started his Imago Acting School which eventually became Barry John Acting Studio. It expanded its operations in Mumbai, where another set of popular actors like Sushant Singh Rajput, Varun Dhawan, Dulquer Salmaan, Rana Daggubati, Freida Pinto, and Richa Chadha learnt under his guidance. 

In 2020, Barry left his acting studio, which continues its operations under new management. Meanwhile, he opened his drama institute Free Birds Collective, to pursue his relentless zeal for training aspiring actors for the glorious Indian cinema. Over the years, he also worked in films like Gandhi, The Great Indian Butterfly, Tere Bin Laden and more. Staying behind the curtains, away from glitz and glamour, he continues to nurture future generations of actors that has undoubtedly left a mark in Indian cinema. 

Manoj Bajpayee congratulated his guru, Barry John on winning Padma Shri 2025

Barry John, who is known for his grounded nature, has won multiple awards. However, his biggest recognition came recently after he was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu. He expressed his gratitude for the same and dedicated it to his students. Later, his student, Manoj Bajpayee, expressed his happiness over his guru's success and shared a special post on his Instagram handle. He penned:

"My Guru, Barry John, my guiding light! He was the first one to see the potential in me to trust me with responsibilities that shaped my journey. His unwavering faith in me has been the cornerstone of who I am today. It's a moment of immense pride and gratitude to see him being honored with the Padma Shri, a recognition truly deserved."

We congratulate Barry John on being honoured with Padma Shri 2025.

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