In 2022, Imtiaz Ali returned to his alma mater, Hindu College, to attend its literary fest, where he posed for us
At an alumni meet in 2024, KMC alumni Siddharth, Divyenndu and Abhishek Banerjee revisited their college memories ‘KMC has given the creative world talents who have touched millions of hearts’ Kirori Mal College has been the starting point for numerous Bollywood’s favourites.
Alumni have told us how their college experiences shaped them as actors, recalling their days with the theatre society more fondly than their time in the classroom. From Amitabh Bachchan to Vijay Krishna Acharya, Ali Abbas Zafar, Kabir Khan, Sushant Singh, Siddharth, Abhishek Banerjee, and many more, KMC has given the creative world talents who have touched millions of hearts. ” Sanjana Sanghi (L) shared a post after returning to LSR in 2023, writing, “17-10-2023 is going to go down as a very special day in my memory book”; Neha Bhasin (R ) “Look at you, all grown up! That’s what most of our teachers say when they see us after we gra du ate. The feeling of pride for their students who grew up in front of them is a special, fulfilling feeling for teachers. Imagine how that feeling swells when one of your students goes from being a backbencher to becoming a renowned Bollywood star! This Teachers’ Day, we turn the tables and ask their former teachers what these celebrities were like as young DU students. ‘Imtiaz was a great student, started the dramatics society at Hindu’ Reminiscing on her time as principal of Hindu College, Dr Kavita Sharma, who is also an alumna, shares, “The teacher-student relationship extends beyond the classroom. One often bumps into old students in the most unexpected places, like the airport. It’s always a joy. She adds, “Imtiaz Ali, Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj, Tisca Chopra, Roshan Abbas are all distinguished alumni of the college. I have taught Imtiaz in BA Hons English, and he was a very good student. It feels good to have been a part of their journeys, but about the impact, it’s for them to say whether I had any impact on them or not! Principal Prof Dinesh Khatter shares, “At Kirori Mal College, education has always meant more than academics. Our alumni are a reflection of that legacy.
Bright, beautiful inside-out and so humble- she sought my blessings before the release of her first film, Dil Bechara (2020). We knew that we had to take her. ” Back in 2019, Anurag Kashyap (L) returned to Hansraj College and posed for us in front of his alma mater; Nimrat (R ) at SRCC for a film promotion in 2023 (@nimratofficial) ‘Nimrat and I have a pact’ Nimrat Kaur has previously talked to us in 2019 about her professor at SRCC, Amit Sachdeva. Nimrat, for most, the Lunchbox (2014) girl, but for me, my brilliant student. Director Anurag Kashyap still comes to the college, and while filming Dev.D (2009), he even cast some of our colleagues and filmed parts of the college.
‘Sanjana was the quintessential LSR girl, while Neha stood out instantly’ Prof Kanika Ahuja, principal of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, has worked closely with alumna and actor Sanjana Sanghi . “Sanjana was the quintessential LSR girl- University gold medallist, star of the Placement Cell, and a trained Bharatanatyam dancer – she managed to do it all without ever missing a class. I saw her pull off a tough placement season with a smile. And the best part is that she’s still such a proud LSR girl – once an LSR-ite, always an LSR-ite,” she proudly tells us. Recalling singer Neha Bhasin ’s ECA audition, she shares, “She came through the Western music quota. I was very young at the time and was part of the committee that was auditioning students along with the Principal. She entered with bright blue nails and a very short skirt, and she stood out instantly. She had a swag which can initially look like overconfidence. But once she started singing, we were completely blown away. He tells us about his pact with Nimrat, “A stone needs to go through the toughest grind to become a Kohinoor, not just another diamond. Let’s build this legacy together. She has made a pact with me. She is on the path to becoming a master takumi, achieving a level of excellence and mastery in her field. Hope to meet Nimrat soon at SRCC as we celebrate our college centenary this year. ‘ Anurag Kashyap still comes to Hansraj and even cast some of our colleagues’ Hansraj is another college which has been a budding place for the greats like Shah Rukh Khan. Prof Meenakshi Malhotra, Department of English, shares, “Hansraj seems to be a place that has honed all kinds of talent, creative and otherwise. Abhinav Kashyap was also from Hansraj, though we never saw him in class at the English Department! Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.
