Page 24 - DAIS - DAISPORA ISSUE04

From Classmates You’ve done two projects with Vihaan Samat (Class of

to Colleagues 2014) this year, Call Me Bae and CTRL. What is it like to

work with fellow alumni?

A conversation with Ananya It was so much fun. Even though we didn’t interact much in school, we actually
took part in competing teams in the first inter-house drama competition ever
Panday, Class of 2017 held at DAIS, so it was actually uncanny that our school memory together also

had to do with acting. Every time we meet, we always have stories of DAIS to
share and that inter-house competitive spirit still runs deep today.
What would you say DAIS has taught Your favourite memory of school?

you that you use in your career? Every memory is so special. I remember it like it was yesterday. My heart

DAIS has definitely taught me so many things that I would get really happy when an assembly would take place on Friday morning,
still hold onto. Diligence, punctuality and sincerity because the whole school would gather to watch something. I also loved
being the main pillars. I’ve really taken that forward evening school—it was something so unique to DAIS, and really felt like a time
in my career as an actor. I think I’m definitely very when creativity was thriving. Annual Days made my desire to be an actor even
particular on being a technically sound actor, when stronger and gave me a lot of confidence.
it comes to learning all of my lines (sometimes all

my co-actors’ lines too), hitting the mark, getting A message to current students who may want to pursue a
my blocking right, understanding lighting and career in film?
camera movement. Every role I do I make sure I
understand the character deeply and give it my all. Firstly, I would say just enjoy every moment at school. Those were definitely my
And I hate, hate, hate being late. favourite years and I would do anything to go back.
The motto of DAIS has always begun with ‘Dare to I would also say try not to be too shy and nervous, and audition for plays in school,
dream’ and I truly feel I’m living my dream every because I feel like I missed out on a lot of opportunities because I was scared of

single day. rejection. You will always learn something, even when the answer is NO. And don’t
be afraid to be the first one to begin something, or be different from your
classmates in your aspirations. I remember I was the only one in my class who
Don’t be afraid to have wanted to become an actor.

different aspirations

Pankti Mehta
from your classmates’ Class of 2006

- Ananya Panday

Class of 2017