India, May 26 -- Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah on Monday stressed that education is essential for actors, saying theatre demands observation, imagination and intellectual depth beyond performance skills alone.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the first Shri Ram Lagoo National Theatre Festival organised by the Maharashtra Cultural Centre and the Lagoo family in Pune, Shah and veteran actor Paresh Rawal reflected on theatre, acting, education and the future of performing arts during a conversation moderated by noted director Vijay Kenkre.

Encouraging students to engage seriously with theatre, Shah said acting should never come at the cost of education. "Becoming an actor does not mean escaping education. We need educated actors. Educ...