I wished to be associated with theatre since my school days and that interest directed me toMisf!t. When I joined the Level 1 course, all I wanted was to gain knowledge about theatre and learn to act on stage. I believed that Misf!t would help me turn out to be a decent actor with all my technical detailing in place. Of course, the course stood up to all my expectations. But that was not all that it had to offer.I discovered that six weeks can teach you something that you have not been able to learn your entire life. This learning is my biggest takeaway from this course; it is the lucid knowledge about my own self. For 24 years I could neither understand my inhibitions, fears and even my strengths nor could I be expressive about them. But then entered Baba (Mr. Ratan T. Grant),who taught me to be myself, be carefree and have fun.

For six weeks, I spent my weekends turning myself into characters totally different from me but never did I feel I wasn’t being me. Within every character, it was ‘me’ understanding and then breaking an inhibition or facing a fear or leveraging one of my strengths. And with that understanding, I could let myself be free and in control both at the same time. Baba didn’t just teach me the craft but to have fun with it.My takeaways don’t end at acting or theatre for that matter. They all come down to Baba, thesoul of Misf!t and the soul of the performer in me. A wonderful actor, a more wonderful teacher and an even more wonderful person; Baba, I had never imagined that knowing you alone would have been such an important takeaway for me. And that is why despite being a socially awkward person, I know I’ll never lose touch with you. A big hug and thanks to you forthis beautiful, once in a lifetime experience.

PS: To anyone thinking of joining Misf!t Level 1 batch,I have never felt such wholesome happiness after making any decision. There would always be some drawback with every choice we make. I feel so good to have chosen to come to Misf!t and have made that first perfect decision of my life.