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Nothing specific but a very general feedback of my road from being a person who would abstain himself from initiating a casual chat with someone (anyone), who turned into to a gregarious folk. Like really, give me a chance to talk and at times, and I could bore you until your ears bleed. If you wouldn’t initiate the conversation, I would. Appalling? Not really. You would better off survive with this person rather than the dead fish I used to be. ‘Hate’ is a strong word and I basically hated socializing, thinking it’s pointless and unnecessary. I always believed my passion for acting was strong and quiet honest. I still do. Before registering in Misf!t, like most, I was clueless about what exactly is bound to happen once the workshop starts and at what sort of a stage (in life and acting) would I end up at the end of the course.

Well, let me be brutally honest- I did underestimate Baba (Ratan Sir). I believed that I learn a ‘few’ acting lessons, carry it around in my bag and showcase it somewhere. I walked into the workshop strictly for acting purposes and at no point of my time did I realize it would change the person I was. A quiet dull, boring one, to say the least; A) the obvious fact- I was naïve and a knucklehead to underestimate him. B) I came out with not just ‘a few’ lessons and knowledge but more than my puny bag could handle. C) For all my bravado of ‘Oh! I’m here only for the acting. I’ll be gone soon’ gibberish, I’m still here, almost half a year and counting. And it was quiet foolish to think one would finish the course with a bag full of flair and finesse in acting. NO! He (Ratan Sir) wouldn’t let you leave just yet, but by the end of the day you walk out with great panache. I know I did, and so did the others. From being painfully shy to even converse with a shopkeeper, now I give them medical advice. (I literally did)

My sole purpose of Level 1 was to stand on the stage and deliver a performance without my legs trembling with fear of the audience watching me. That faded away under the genius guidance of Ratan sir.

Our group for Level 2 wasn’t the largest and much alike Level 1, we were entirely clueless of what was to come. The breaking of inhibition, 90% of technicality, voice etc, were all done and dusted in Level 1 so what was exactly left? Nailing your character and emotions. Yes, emotions. And come Day 1 of Level 2, what did we do? We cried. No, Ratan Sir did not smack us on the back with a cane but we were asked to dig deep into our inner self to highlight our honest emotions. Key word- honesty. You don’t pretend, you ACT with utmost honesty here. Under Baba (Ratan Sir) you do it the way it is meant to be done. Here, you find your flaws and you fix it. Watching good movies and reading certain books might enlighten you about acting, but once on stage if you don’t/can’t do it right, then just don’t do it at all. Baba’s method is one of a true honest kind. It’s a prodigious package of all you need to know divided into 2 Levels of workshop. You are not going to get criticized at Misf!t for a blemish, but that very fault is refined and perfected. Perfected with patience. I remember not being able to complete an exercise involving an emotion the way I wanted to do it while the others got theirs. I was annoyed, rather than being embarrassed. Our lunch time was delayed and Baba persisted that I went through with the exercise and after quite some time I did get to the point thanks to Baba’s invaluable patience and well, sorry to keep my batch mate’s hungry.

In Level 2 you interpret a specific script in several ways. The value of this technique would only come to realization when you get an actual script and how simpler it would seem to express what’s written on the sheet rather than projecting it in a completely different manner. That helps big time!

Visualizing and having a thought process of what you project accompanied by the vital 58 questions and other formulas of nailing a character is the very grand and priceless knowledge you take back as an actor. All this recipe wouldn’t be complete without the guidance of Baba. Personally, for me, it would pointless if I hadn’t learned the process under you, Baba. Many would agree and no one would call it being modest or dishonest when they say there were lucky to be under your guidance. Calling you a teacher would be an understatement, to me, you are much, much more. And to Venky sir, for your priceless advices and quiet a brilliant class on how to read a script which will be as important as any when we move forward as actors. Thank you, sir.

Our grading didn’t exactly go the way it was meant to. It was in the last 3 days our course that we implemented what was taught. We worked hard, very hard towards the grading. Lack of sleep and rest. Honestly, I enjoyed these last 3 days. It was tiring but the hard work felt good. Toiling over something I liked. I have never worked hard for something I loved to do. The lack of sleep never felt like a burden like it used to, few hours prior to my mathematics examination. I enjoyed the effort we were putting into the grading. We helped each other to better our performance and it never felt like an individual gain but something we had to prove ourselves as a team. Come grading day, the theme was decided on the 11th minute of the show and we quiet miraculously (as Baba would say) pulled it off. I remember Baba not letting us introduce ourselves on the Day 1 of Level 1, but at the end of the course, we are more than just friends.

I would like to thank my wonderful batch mates who helped one another before the grading; Vidya, Natasha, Hemant, Abishek, Soumya, Rushi, Shabaz- It wouldn’t have been possible without us sticking together. High fives!!! To the seniors who gave us their precious time to assist us. Richa Mam, for assisting me with my comic play- who needs no intro for her brilliance as an actor and a director. Sidharth, many thanks for staying up late and helping us with our drama and for being a sheer brilliant of a director. And Lyria obviously, that’s 2 in 2, helping me in Level 1 and 2. You’re a genius!
Finally, Baba, I have no clue when I rubbed the lamp to have a genie like you, who helped me move forward in what I like to do the most. No words would suffice to the kind of support and confidence you have given me. I mean that and I promise to make you proud, Baba!!
Arvind-